by [Stevie Gerrard seems very fiesty ahead of the CL Final this 25th May.
He warns Milan players not too get too***y, thinking that they've
already won the CL in a walkover. He also intimates that Liverpool
perform better as underdogs, and given the result against Chelsea,
etc., he might have a point]
LIVERPOOL, England May 19 (Reuters) - Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard
has warned AC Milan not to expect a walkover in next week's Champions
League final.
Gerrard admits the Italians are favourites, but says Liverpool's poor
premier league form is no guide to their ability in Europe.
"We have always been the underdogs and we will be the underdogs on the
25th in Istanbul," Gerrard said. "Everyone thinks Milan will just have
to turn up to beat us.
"But they will be in for a real big fight. We are up for it and we are
confident that we will be able to surprise everyone again."
He added: "AC Milan won the trophy a couple of years ago and know what
to expect, but we have done well in Europe beating Juventus and
Chelsea and we are confident that we can get the right result in
Istanbul."
Gerrard said they respected Milan but had no fear. "We have watched
the tapes of them and we know they are beatable," he told reporters.
"PSV played very well in the two semi-final legs, but I don't think we
saw the real Milan in that game.
"We have seen their two games with Manchester United, so we know they
are a fantastic side and have world-class players all through their
team.
"But we have world-class players and have played really well in Europe
and I am sure all our boys are hungry and desperate to win it."
Gerrard believes winning the trophy should mean Liverpool earn a place
in next season's competition despite failing to secure a qualifying
spot through the English league.
"We are obviously not happy with our league form and finished outside
the top four," he said.
"So we need to win in Turkey and put pressure on people in UEFA to
allow us back into the tournament next season."
Gerrard said Liverpool's players had feared they would not survive
past their final group game against Olympiakos at Anfield in December
when the England midfielder scored a crucial third goal.
"We have been huge underdogs in this run and the Chelsea games were
both amazing atmospheres," he said.
"But you would have to go a long way to beat the Olympiakos night when
we had to score three times in the second half to get through."
Courtesy: REUTERS