Bookies face £1m payout if Reds lift the Cup
May 14 2007
by Luke Traynor, Liverpool Echo
BOOKIES are facing a £1m payout if Liverpool clinch their second Champions League trophy in three years.
A wave of popular support has grown for the Reds as the tournament has progressed and bookmakers stand to lose a fortune if they defeat Milan.
Currently, the two teams are equal favourites, with odds of 5/6 on either pair to win at the Olympic Stadium in Athens, on May 23.
Betting shops are being flooded by “patriotic punts” as fans across the country gamble on Liverpool sneaking the win.
Ladbrokes said 80% of their punters were backing Liverpool as a wave of optimism sweeps Merseyside.
The size of bets is varying from £10 to thousands of pounds from more wealthy or daring customers.
At the start of the tournament, Liverpool were poorly backed, compared with Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal, at around 18/1.
But their price has steadily shortened, only suffering a minor blip with the Reds were drawn against favourites Barcelona, with the odds rose to 28-1.
The real support for Liverpool came after they beat the Catalan giants. The bookies reacted accordingly by pulling the Reds in to 7/1.
One Liverpool punter stands to win £25,000 if Steven Gerrard lifts the trophy after waging £1,000 on a Reds win before the Barcelona game.
Nostalgic fans are even placing their cash on a repeat of two years ago, with the 3-3 after 90 minutes at 250/1 and Liverpool to win on penalties priced at 8/1.
Ladbrokes spokesman Nick Weinberg said Liverpool’s defeat of Chelsea in the semi-final had done them a favour.
Many had bet on the Blues to do the quadruple. He said: “It’s the same with the English national team, the English club sides, particularly Liverpool, are well-backed by customers across the UK.
“If Liverpool win, we’re facing easily a £1m pay day across the industry.”
Specials, quirky bets like guessing the time of the first corner or throw-in, are usually drawn up nearer the match.
Millionaire bookie Paddy Power told the ECHO there was little to choose between Liverpool and Milan in the betting stakes.
He said: “Money has flooded in for the Reds, especially after the Barca win. They’ve got such a large fanbase that everyone wants a piece of the action.
“We’ve just taken a £20,000 bet for Milan to win at a price of 4/5, but it’s mainly Reds fans piling in with patriotic bets.
“If Liverpool win it’s a terrible result for us.”
CLICKY - The Echo
May 14 2007
by Luke Traynor, Liverpool Echo
BOOKIES are facing a £1m payout if Liverpool clinch their second Champions League trophy in three years.
A wave of popular support has grown for the Reds as the tournament has progressed and bookmakers stand to lose a fortune if they defeat Milan.
Currently, the two teams are equal favourites, with odds of 5/6 on either pair to win at the Olympic Stadium in Athens, on May 23.
Betting shops are being flooded by “patriotic punts” as fans across the country gamble on Liverpool sneaking the win.
Ladbrokes said 80% of their punters were backing Liverpool as a wave of optimism sweeps Merseyside.
The size of bets is varying from £10 to thousands of pounds from more wealthy or daring customers.
At the start of the tournament, Liverpool were poorly backed, compared with Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal, at around 18/1.
But their price has steadily shortened, only suffering a minor blip with the Reds were drawn against favourites Barcelona, with the odds rose to 28-1.
The real support for Liverpool came after they beat the Catalan giants. The bookies reacted accordingly by pulling the Reds in to 7/1.
One Liverpool punter stands to win £25,000 if Steven Gerrard lifts the trophy after waging £1,000 on a Reds win before the Barcelona game.
Nostalgic fans are even placing their cash on a repeat of two years ago, with the 3-3 after 90 minutes at 250/1 and Liverpool to win on penalties priced at 8/1.
Ladbrokes spokesman Nick Weinberg said Liverpool’s defeat of Chelsea in the semi-final had done them a favour.
Many had bet on the Blues to do the quadruple. He said: “It’s the same with the English national team, the English club sides, particularly Liverpool, are well-backed by customers across the UK.
“If Liverpool win, we’re facing easily a £1m pay day across the industry.”
Specials, quirky bets like guessing the time of the first corner or throw-in, are usually drawn up nearer the match.
Millionaire bookie Paddy Power told the ECHO there was little to choose between Liverpool and Milan in the betting stakes.
He said: “Money has flooded in for the Reds, especially after the Barca win. They’ve got such a large fanbase that everyone wants a piece of the action.
“We’ve just taken a £20,000 bet for Milan to win at a price of 4/5, but it’s mainly Reds fans piling in with patriotic bets.
“If Liverpool win it’s a terrible result for us.”
CLICKY - The Echo
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