Soccer: Cruyff - boring Uefa Cup final possible

Alaves forward Jordi Cruyff fears the Uefa Cup final against Liverpool will be the most boring in the tournament's history.

After Gerard Houllier's men ground out goalless draws at Porto and Barcelona in reaching the final in Dortmund on May 16, former Manchester United ace Cruyff warned the Reds that Alaves are willing to match them.

"Liverpool defended very well against Barcelona," he said.

"But we don't play open football and if Liverpool defend with nine as they did against Barcelona we will defend with 10 and it will be the most boring Uefa Cup final ever.

"That doesn't worry us, but I don't think Liverpool's fans will like it if they go out and defend.

"We have played good football to get here but in a final you don't think about playing well. You think about winning."

Cruyff, the son of legendary Dutchman Johan Cruyff, saw his career stall at United following his move from Barcelona in 1996.

Looking ahead to the final, he said at a news conference in Vitoria that he has nothing to prove.

"My past has nothing to do with this," he said.

"That's finished with and I have turned the page.

"The real satisfaction is to do something with a team like Alaves.

"With both Manchester United and Barcelona you are expected to do very well so this is nicest thing that has happened to me as a player."

Spanish outfit Alaves have been the surprise package in their first season in Europe, eliminating the likes of Inter Milan and Kaiserslautern on their way to the final.

"We're new in Europe and we don't have much experience but the desire to win is very important to us," he said.

"I don't think it's necessary for us to talk about Liverpool. I have seen them play and I think I know about 80% of their players.

"We haven't seen any videos of them. We just go on the pitch and do our job. The coach believes that we shouldn't adjust our system for anybody not even Liverpool."