Benitez: dangerous Milan will be driven by revenge

LIVERPOOL manager Rafael Benitez has warned his players to be wary of a “dangerous” AC Milan team in the Champions League final later this month.

The Italians swept aside Manchester United in the semi-final second leg at the San Siro to set up a rematch of their 2005 encounter when, from 3-0 up at half-time, they eventually lost on penalties to the Merseysiders.

Benitez believes Milan will be driven by revenge for that shock defeat and has urged his team not to underestimate the task ahead.

“It’s clear we are going to play a team with players with a great attitude and quality,” said the Spaniard.

“You could see by how hard they worked last night. They are desperate to win the Champions League and after what happened two years ago we must be very careful. They are a very dangerous opponent for us.

“We must focus on the final. Some people think because we won two years ago and we also beat Chelsea we will do it again, but this is not the right message. You do not win a trophy for winning a semi-final. Playing well in the final is what’s important now.

“They (Milan) are strong in every position. Defensively they are good, they have excellent strikers and in players like Gennaro Gattuso and Kaka they have two of the best players in the world.

“They are a team we will show a lot of respect to. I have said many times we are stronger now than we were two years ago but I also believe Milan are a better side than they were when we last played each other.”

Liverpool’s hero from the semi-final second-leg victory, Jose Reina, has history of a different kind on his mind.

The Spain goalkeeper, who saved two penalties in the shoot-out against Chelsea, will follow in his father’s footsteps by playing in the European Cup final.

Miguel Reina Santos, also a goalkeeper, was in the Atletico Madrid side beaten 4-0 by Bayern Munich in the 1974 final.

“My father played in a final but hopefully it will not be the same result. We haven’t spoken much about that game, but we have plenty of time to do so now,” said Reina.

“The game was before I was born but I have seen it on video. Knowing he played in a European Cup final has been special to me and if we can win the trophy then I think it would mean a lot. He would be the proudest father in the world.”