Benítez wants 'best of Liverpool'

By Adam Szreter in Istanbul

The smart money is on an extremely tightly contested UEFA Champions League final at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul tomorrow night, and if Liverpool FC give away as little as their manager Rafael Benítez did at the traditional pre-match press conference there is every chance of going all the way to extra time and beyond.

'Nothing to lose'
As calm and amiable as ever, Benítez betrayed no sign of the tension that will inevitably accompany both teams as the game draws nearer. "Normally we talk about one game at a time, but now we are here and we are enjoying the situation," said the Spaniard. "We know how important the game is for the club and us as individuals, but we don't have anxiety; the players know they have nothing to lose and everything to win."

'Compact'
During the 40-minute inquisition Benítez stuck resolutely to the game-plan that has brought Liverpool this unexpected opportunity of a fifth European title. "In a final it is difficult to see an open game," he admitted. "Only if one team scores early. But I think both teams will play their own style: we will try to be compact, but whether that's attack or counterattack depends on the other team as well.

'Afraid of losing'
"We have a certain style and we will try to exploit the weak points of [AC] Milan. All managers want their teams to play well, but you are up against another team trying to do the same and sometimes people are afraid of losing. If it's possible to play well we will try, for sure. But I just prefer to score one more goal than them."

History and expectation
Benítez is under no illusions about the history and expectation that follow Liverpool in European competition, and he is well aware of the part their fans have played in reaching this final. "We know we have the best supporters, maybe in the world," he said. "We know that in town [back in Liverpool] we are on TV and radio all the time, and to win a fifth European Cup would be fantastic."

Championship lost
As far as their opponents are concerned, Benítez did not feel Milan's recent loss to Juventus FC in the Italian title race would have a significant bearing on the outcome. "It's not important," he said. "They need to win and they have a lot of players with experience. But we are really hungry, and we can match their experience with the hunger that we have."

Back in action
One with such an appetite is the 23-year-old Spanish international playmaker Xabi Alonso, who missed the semi-final second leg through suspension. "Maybe Milan are the favourites, but in one game anything can happen," he said. "Watching from the stands against Chelsea was very hard for me, but this is going to be the most important game of my career."

'Important trophy'
Having won the UEFA Cup with Valencia CF last season, Benítez himself would make a little bit of history should he guide a different club to the Champions League title in the following campaign. "The UEFA Cup is really important, but this trophy is the most important in terms of club football, and for me as a manager," he said.

Benítez hope
"When I decided to come here it was because I wanted to win titles. I'm enjoying the situation. I like to play these kind of games. When you decide to be a manager it's because you want to win trophies and play in games like this. Tomorrow we will see maybe the best Milan, but I want to see the best Liverpool, for sure."