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Playing for keeps Man Utd, Liverpool will go full force in Charity Shield
Updated: Friday August 10, 2001 11:07 AM
LONDON (AP) -- The game is being played for charity, but Manchester United and Liverpool will be giving no quarter as they look for early season dominance in England's Premier League on Sunday. The Charity Shield match -- to be held outside England for the first time at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium -- pits the two favorites for the league title when the regular season begins Aug. 18. "We have a very good chance of catching Manchester United next season," said Liverpool and England striker Michael Owen. "We got a lot closer to them last term and that will continue." "[United manager] Alex Ferguson will still be there as will the same set of players who have won the last three titles so I don't see a weakness there." United won its seventh title in nine years last season. Liverpool finished third behind Arsenal, which last won the title in 1998. Man United and Liverpool share the record for the most number of Charity Shield wins -- 11. United is making its sixth Charity Shield appearance in a row. It lost last year to Chelsea at Wembley stadium before it was closed. Both clubs have high expectations. United is aiming to improve on its quarterfinal place in the Champions League and a record fourth-consecutive league title in Ferguson's last season in charge. "There aren't many teams who've managed that in the history of the game," Ryan Giggs said. "Now we've got the chance to do it four times which would put us out on our own." "I expect it to be a lot harder," he said. "With the quality these teams have, you've got to expect them to challenge." Ferguson bought just two players in the off-season, but both broke the British transfer record. Argentine midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron moved from Lazio for 28.1 million pounds (US$39.3 million), while Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy moved from PSV Eindhoven for 19 million pounds (US$26.6 million). Liverpool bought just one player -- John Arne Riise from Monaco -- but has a significant number of England players with Owen, Robbie Fowler, Emile Heskey and Steven Gerrard. They helped a resurgent Liverpool win three trophies last season -- the UEFA Cup and the FA and League Cups in domestic play. But the club has set it sights higher and is one of a handful of teams - along with Arsenal, Leeds and Chelsea -- capable of knocking United off its perch. "It will be hard to follow last season, but I would swap the three cup medals to be Premiership champions next season," Owen said. The Reds had the perfect warm-up in Helsinki Wednesday night. Owen scored three goals as Liverpool demolished Haka 5-0 in its first-leg, third-round Champions League qualifying match. Liverpool's entry into the European Champions Cup for the first time in 16 years is now a mere formality. The Charity Shield began in 1908 and features the winner of the Premier League against the winner of the FA Cup. In the opening league games a week later, United hosts promoted Fulham, while Liverpool hosts West Ham.
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