This year's Champions League final between AC Milan and the Reds is unlikely to produce the heroics of two years ago in Istanbul, according to the man who scored the winning goal in the Champions Cup final twice for Liverpool, Alan Kennedy.
In 2005, Milan stunned the English side with a virtuoso first-half display that saw them take a three-goal lead at the break only for Liverpool to stage a superb fightback and win on penalties.
But Kennedy, a double European Cup winner with the Anfield Club, sees Wednesday's encounter as being a tight affair that could end with the shootout again – but he believes his old side will still triumph. “I don't think you will see Liverpool three goals down by half-time and then get back like they did then,'' Kennedy told XPRESS.
“That was a one-off and it was a great game for the fans. Liverpool were fantastic on the night. This year I can see both teams scoring but it will be a very close match with both managers not wanting to risk too much. And the longer it stays that way, it will favour Liverpool.
“Liverpool have done really well to get to the final again as they have beaten the reigning European Champions [Barcelona] and the English champions [Chelsea] along the way.
“But you saw against Manchester United how dangerous AC Milan can be. Liverpool will have to be at their best, although their game is suited to Europe under Rafael Benitez who always seems to get better as the game gets bigger.
“When it comes to technical ability, Milan are one of the best teams in the world, but when it comes to fight and team spirit, there is none better than Liverpool,'' added Kennedy.
Asked to put on his predictor's hat, the man who captained the Reds to the Dubai Masters Cup title at the Aviation Club last month said: “If Liverpool score one against a strong defence like Milan's, they will score a second. But this could well go down to penalties and I would pick Liverpool to win as Pepe Reina is the better keeper of the two sides and they also have the advantage of being in that situation two years ago.''
Kennedy's Red Life
- Alan Kennedy was signed by Liverpool's legendary manager Bob Paisley from Newcastle in 1978 for £330,000 (Dh2.4 million)
- His champagne moment for the Reds came when he scored the only goal in the 1981 European Cup final against Real Madrid to help Liverpool lift the trophy for the third time
- In the 1983 League Cup final against fierce rivals Manchester United, Kennedy struck again when it mattered as his long range equaliser spurred Liverpool to a 2-1 win
- The habit of netting in major finals continued in the 1984 European Cup final against Roma in Rome when Kennedy scored the winning penalty that saw Liverpool clinch their fourth crown
Keep Kaka Quiet To Triumph
While admitting he would not fancy being in either manager's shoes come Wednesday night, Kennedy did have some advice for Benitez on how Carlo Ancelotti's team could be curbed.
“If you stop players like Kaka and Seedorf then Milan will be quiet. There are several ways to do it and it is possible with either a 4-4-2 or a 4-5-1 formation. Also, Craig Bellamy could be effective with his pace as he showed against Barcelona.''
