Riise: Reds always confident

John Arne Riise insists Liverpool have always felt they could win the Champions League this season, and not just because they beat holders Barcelona.

If Liverpool succeed against AC Milan tonight in the Olympic Stadium they will join their Italian rivals on six wins, with only Real Madrid having won the European Cup on more occasions.

Riise, a winner with Liverpool in Istanbul against Milan two years ago, said: “We didn’t just start believing when we beat Barcelona as many people seem to think.

“We have always believed we could win it again. Those two performances against Barcelona just underlined how we all felt, that we were good enough to get to the final again.

“And this time we are a better team than in Istanbul, and we will take all the experience we gained in that final into this one.”

The 26-year-old also feels Liverpool are not concerned about Milan’s talk of gaining revenge for the penalty shoot-out misery they suffered two years ago.

He added: “They want revenge, we keep hearing that. But we will just concentrate on ourselves, we know we are confident and we can win it again, Milan know we can beat them.

“And we know what we have to do and what to expect now from Milan.”

Jermaine Pennant seems likely to start the match, just two years after he was in prison for motoring offences.

The winger said: “I take every step and game at a time, that is what I have done in my career.

“I take the setbacks but I love football and try to do myself justice and repay the support and faith the manager has shown in me.

“If we get success in this final it will be a great personal success for me. I’m always confident in my ability and I am getting the chance now to prove it.”

Bolo Zenden looks to have won his fight to be involved.

Manager Rafael Benitez was predictably coy about his selection options at his media conference at the Olympic Stadium last night, but on Zenden’s injury, the Spanish coach said: “He looks like he will be okay, he has trained and I expect him to be fit.”

The midfielder damaged an ankle in training last week in La Manga, and although he returned from Spain on crutches, Benitez has give him every chance to prove his fitness.

Benitez has Harry Kewell on standby for the left-wing place, the Australian having made just two substitute appearances this season after groin operations, but desperate to play having also shown up well in training.

The exact composition of Benitez’s side will remain a secret until nearer kick-off, but Liverpool could well play Steven Gerrard as a support striker, behind Dirk Kuyt, as part of a five-man midfield to counter Milan’s similar system.

That means Benitez could play Zenden on the left and Jermaine Pennant on the right, with Xabi Alonso, Gerrard and Javier Mascherano in the centre.

Benitez will have his first-choice back four of Steve Finnan, Jamie Carragher, Daniel Agger and Riise to protect goalkeeper Jose Reina.

Reina will join a select band of just three fathers and sons who have appeared in European Cup finals.

Miguel Sanchez and his son, also Miguel, achieved that feat for Real Madrid, Cesare and Paolo Maldini did so for Milan, and now Miguel and Jose Reina, for Atletico Madrid and Liverpool.