Goal Dedicated to Michael

Jamie Carragher today dedicated his first goal in over six years to Michael Shields, the Liverpool supporter jailed for 15 years in Bulgaria for a crime somebody else has claimed responsibility for.

This follows on from a gesture by the Trophy Boyz who have generously agreed to donate all proceeds from their single (released a record in honour of Liverpool’s Istanbul heroics) to the family of a Reds fan jailed in Bulgaria for a crime he insists he did not commit.

Michael Shields, 18, was yesterday sensationally found guilty of attempted murder and sentenced to 15 years in a Bulgarian prison - despite another man confessing to the crime.

The Wavertree student was arrested in the Golden Sands holiday resort four days after watching Liverpool win the European Cup in Turkey.

His plight has touched the hearts of Liverpudlians everywhere and The Trophy Boyz, who were in town to promote their new single 'Du The Dudek', were shocked and saddened to hear of this latest twist in the case.

The four Liverpool supporting band members all instantly decided that any profits they make from the record would be pledged to Michael's family.

For Carragher news of the verdict came as a massive shock to both himself and Steven Gerrard, who had followed the trial even while away on Champions League duty in Lithuania.

"We got a phone call with the news on Tuesday but we've been aware of what's being going on throughout the whole trial," Carragher told liverpoolfc.tv. "There was a banner about Michael at the TNS game in the last round and what's happened with the verdict was in our minds on Tuesday night.

"If I'd have known I was going to score against Kaunas I would have worn a t-shirt under my Liverpool shirt with Michael's name on it. I want to dedicate that goal to Michael Shields and all his family who are suffering so badly right now.

"When we got the news that he'd not only be found guilty for a crime he didn't commit but actually been sentenced to 15 years, our hearts sank. For myself, Steven and the other local lads in the team, it really hit us. He's one of us; a young lad who went to a game to watch Liverpool and ended up being thrown in prison in a foreign country. He must be absolutely distraught at what's happened just as everyone in Liverpool is. He should have been here in Lithuania cheering us on but instead he's locked up. Me and Stevie are heartbroken for the lad because it's obviously an injustice."