Come On Rafa Reds Say Bookies In £20m Champions League Gamble

Bookmakers William Hill are anticipating a bonanza betting turnover of up to £20 million on the outcome of the Champions League Final. The bookies are offering 4/1 that Liverpool will come from a goal or more down in 90 minutes or extra time to lift the trophy, and 66/1 that Liverpool will again win the Champions League on penalties after finishing 3-3 with AC Milan after extra time - although one customer, Dale Ashford from Folkestone, has already staked £10 at 1000/1 that it will happen and will collect £10,000 if he is right.

"Punters seem to have made their minds up that AC are destined to get their revenge for the defeat of two years ago, and we predict there could be a seven figure swing in our payout, depending on the result. It seems as though supporters of other English clubs are deliberately betting against Liverpool, but we are right behind Rafa's Reds to get us out of trouble - and if they can do it on penalties, so much the better, because that way we'll clean up on the 90 minute outcome" said William Hill's spokesman Graham Sharpe.

With doubts about some players’ futures at the club, William Hill are betting on which players will start Liverpool’s first Premiership game of next season, and are offering 1/10 that Gerrard will (11/2 that he will not); 1/14 that Carragher will (13/2 not to); 5/6 Alonso (5/6 not); 5/6 Kewell (5/6 not); 13/8 Crouch (4/9 not); 5/2 Bellamy (2/7 not).

William Hill have opened a book on which Liverpool players will score or miss their spot-kick if the game goes to a penalty shoot out - and offer 1/3 that Kuyt will score- 9/4 miss; 1/3 Kewell score - 9/4 miss; 4/11 Gerrard scores - 2/1 misses; 4/11 Riise scores, 2/1 misses; 2/5 Alonso scores, 7/4 misses;2/5 Bellamy scores - 7/4 misses; 2/5 Fowler scores - 7/4 misses; 4/9 Crouch scores - 13/8 misses; 4/9 Carragher scores, 13/8 misses.

Liverpool are 40/1 to be trailing 3-0 at half time with William Hill, who offer 33/1 that the game will be 3-3 when the 90 minute whistle is blown.

The bookmakers make AC 4/6 favourites to win the trophy, (one William Hill client from Salisbury has staked £16,000 on them at those odds) with Liverpool 11/10. AC are 13/10 to win in 90 minutes with a 90 min draw 9/5 and Liverpool 2/1. AC are 10/1 to win in extra time, Liverpool 11/1 with both AC and Liverpool 8/1 to win on penalties, with the game 4/1 to end in that fashion.