Benitez cool on Shevchenko threat

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL Wednesday 25 May Kick-off 1945 BST Ataturk Stadium, Istanbul Coverage on BBC Radio Five Live and this website Team news and statistics

Boss Rafael Benitez says Liverpool have no special plans to combat the threat of AC Milan striker Andriy Shevchenko in the Champions League final.

Shevchenko poses the main danger to Liverpool's hopes in Istanbul, but Benitez said: "If you only see Shevchenko it's a big mistake.

"They have a lot of good players and you must consider them all.

"We must look at all the players and be aware of them all. We cannot afford to just keep our eyes on Shevchenko."

Benitez was in confident mood in Istanbul, dismissing claims that Liverpool have been fortunate to reach the final.

He said: "I will say again that if anyone wants to look at our videos of the Champions League games, they will see we have played very well."

Benitez refused to give anything away about his team selection, amid claims he used Harry Kewell just behind striker Djibril Cisse in a training session.

I think he is on the same level and maybe better than (Jose) Mourinho. He is more humble Djibril Cisse on his boss Benitez

Liverpool mounted defensive rearguard actions to beat Juventus and Chelsea, but Benitez was playing his cards close to his chest.

He said: "Each team is different. We have a different team and maybe we cannot do the same things as PSV Eindhoven did against AC Milan.

"We will try to do the things that are good for us and bad for AC Milan. We will try to see the weak points of AC Milan and try to beat them.

"We know how important the game will be for us and for the club but we don't have any anxiety, we have confidence. We have nothing to lose and a lot of things to win, so we will try to do our best.

Liverpool striker Milan Baros says the Champions League final could be his last game for the club.

The 23-year-old Czech, unhappy at not playing enough, was quoted by the Daily Mirror as saying: "I have had several offers from other clubs and it is now the job of my agent to talk to them.

"Maybe I'll leave Anfield, maybe I'll stay. We'll listen to what is offered."

If Baros has said what he's reported to have said on the eve of the European Cup final, I'd ship him back to Merseyside! From Bob Have your say on 606

But Benitez, asked on Tuesday about the Daily Mirror's story, asked a journalist: "Do you believe the English press? Always when you talk about a player before an important game, the manager cannot say anything.

"I just want to see Milan Baros score lots of goals (on Wednesday)."

Baros is in a fight with fit-again Djibril Cisse for a place in the team.

Cisse, who has just returned to the France squad after a double broken leg, said: "Rafa (Benitez) is one of the best coaches I have had.

"He's very clever and knows how to adapt to different systems. With Guy Roux he is one of the best coaches I have worked under.

"I think he is on the same level and maybe better than (Jose) Mourinho. He is more humble. Sometimes it is good to be confident but not too much."

Liverpool defender Sami Hyypia says the final is a chance for Benitez's squad to put their names alongside the other Anfield stars who have won the European Cup.

He said: "This is an opportunity to bring the cup home and write our place in history alongside the other players who have won the trophy with Liverpool.

"It would be wonderful to win and this could be my only chance and I can't just let it go away from me."