Gerrard desperate to grab glory

By Patrick Hart

Tougher and tougher
Gerrard believes the competition to lift Europe's top club prize is getting tougher with every season, meaning this could be their only chance to join the list of Anfield legends.

Opportunity knocks
"This competition is going to get more difficult to win each year because the teams are going to get stronger. Juventus [FC], Chelsea [FC], Arsenal [FC], Manchester United [FC] have been knocked out and they're not happy at not being in the final. They'll buy more players and get stronger, so this opportunity might not come along again for Liverpool," the English international warned.

Tradition to maintain
"Liverpool have a tradition of doing well in Europe and we feel it's our responsibility to make sure this continues. We've got a chance of making history for the club and that is what we want to achieve. We want to win this final. We don't just want to turn up and enjoy the night - we want to win it."

Cup for keeps
Liverpool were four-times European champions between 1977 and 1984. Gerrard now wants to be the man to collect the club's fifth continental crown. "I was only four in 1984, but I've got tapes [of the other finals] and listened to my dad, so I know how big this game is for the club. I want to join all the captains - Emlyn Hughes, Graeme Souness and the rest. If we win that trophy, it's the fifth and we're allowed to keep it. That's another incentive.

'Best night ever'
"This is the biggest game of my life, the proudest night of my life to lead the boys out as captain," continued Gerrard. "I can't wait, but I want to experience winning the final rather than losing, because losing it would be the worst feeling ever. Hopefully winning it will be the best night of my life."

Ups and downs
The 24-year-old, who appeared to be on the verge of leaving Liverpool last summer, is confident an "up-and-down season" for him and the club can end on a Himalayan high.

'We deserve it'
"I said at the beginning of the season that it would be really tough to get to the final," the midfielder confessed. "I didn't think it would happen but we've played really well, got better as we've gone along, defended really well, scored some magnificent goals and we deserve to be in the final. There's one game left and I want it to be the best game ever. I'll be working hard to give the best performance I've ever given."

Thanking the fans
Gerrard, a Liverpool player since the age of eight, also wants to "bring the trophy home for the fans". "Against Olympiacos [CFP] at half-time, we needed to score three goals to stay in the competition and the fans helped us. Without them I wouldn't be sitting here and we need to thank the fans a lot," he said.

'The big one'
"I've dreamt of lifting any cup for this club for many years. When I first got the armband, the first thing I wanted to do was to lift a trophy. Now I've got a chance to lift the biggest one you can lift for your club. I'm just praying that I lift it."

'Do or die'
Gerrard also insists Milan will not be underestimating their opponents. "We know AC Milan will respect us and they'll be desperate to win, just as I am and our players are. It's going to be a do-or-die night. There's a lot at stake, and may the best team win."