Benitez: Our hunger can devour Milan
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-05-25 09:34

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez believes the hunger of his players to lift the European Cup for the first time in 21 years could tip the balance against AC Milan in the Champions League final.

Liverpool's coach Rafael Benitez holds a ball during team practice at the Ataturk Olympic stadium in Istanbul May 24, 2005. Liverpool will face AC Milan in the Champions League final on May 25. [Reuters]

Benitez played down Milan's vast European experience ahead of Wednesday's final at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium and said Liverpool were determined not to 'waste the moment'.

{"Experience is always important and they have a lot of players with more experience than us. But we are really hungry and we want to win. We can balance their experience with the hunger we have," said the Spanish coach.

At least seven of Milan's expected line-up played in the 2003 final against Juventus. All 11 from 2003 are still at the club including Paolo Maldini, due to figure in his seventh final, and Clarence Seedorf, making his fourth appearance.

Liverpool are playing their first European Cup final since the ill-fated 1985 game at the Heysel Stadium when 39 mostly Italian fans died after a charge by Liverpool fans.

Although none of the Liverpool team have played in a European Cup final, five of the side that started the UEFA Cup final in 2001 when Liverpool beat Alaves are still with the club. Steven Gerrard, Sami Hyypia, Jamie Carragher and probably Dietmar Hamann will play on Wednesday.

"I have a lot of confidence in the team, maybe Milan are favourites - they have a lot of good players - but we have confidence and we can win," said Benitez.

Liverpool have seen off Bayer Leverkusen, Juventus and Chelsea in the knockout stages and Benitez lifted the UEFA Cup with Valencia last season.

"It is important we do not waste the moment, I have said that before."

"We know how important the game is for us as individuals and for the club, but we don't have any anxiety," said Benitez. "I know what my job is and we are all focused."

"We have nothing to lose and everything to win and will try and do our best."

He admitted his players had not spent time practising penalties in case the match, expected to be a defensive affair, finishes level at the end of extra time.

"It is not a risk, the problem with the shootout is not the penalties, it is the pressure and you cannot practise with the pressure. Anyway, our idea is to win it in 90 minutes."

Benitez has revealed his great admiration and respect for Bill Shankly, the manager who laid the foundation for the modern Liverpool.

If he brings the European Cup back to Liverpool, Benitez would have surpassed Shankly's achievements in Europe but he played down suggestions that a golden Shankly-like era could be beginning.

"It might be the first stone in the foundation of the building if we win, but I have only been at Liverpool for one year and it will take two or three years (of success) to start a new era."

"I have said before we have the best supporters in England, maybe the world, and we want to win it for them. This is the biggest match of my career and I am confident we can win it."

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