Ac Milan vs Liverpool - Champions League Final

One player who is bound to shine in this final would be the Brazilian Kaka. The AC Milan star is determined to leave his name on the score sheets at the Champions League finals against Liverpool by adding to the 10 goals he has already netted thus far and steer his team to victory. Kaka is currently only two goals away from matching Ruud van Nistelrooy's Champions League record of 12 goals.

AC Milan will be hoping to get their revenge and beat Liverpool in tomorrows Champions League final, completing an amazing turnaround of fortunes for the club, who were recently found guilty of match-fixing.

Carlo Ancelotti's only selection issue is whether to feature Gilardino and use his pace or rather go with the experienced,goal-scoring 33 year old Inzaghi. If captain Paolo Maldini can recover in time from a knee problem, then Milan's starting line-up in Athens appears to be almost definite.

Two years ago Liverpool conquered Milan after a dramatic penalty shoot out. This time around the Merseyside club will hold their nerve again should the final be tied after 120 minutes. As Benitez's side have been involved in two high-stakes shoot-outs since then. They overcame Chelsea in the semis on penalties after the tie had ended 1-1 after winning last season's FA Cup against West Ham on spot kicks. To the Liverpool players, a second Champions League final in three seasons shows that they are a committed lot.

Frankly, it's more than just a AC Milan vs Liverpool game but rather a Steven Gerrard vs Gennaro Gattuso. Remember, at the last finals, it was Gerrard who led Liverpool rally from a 3-0 deficit at halftime. So definitely he would be the most 'covered' player tomorrow.

There is always a sense when Liverpool play in Europe that they are taking on not just their opponents on the pitch, but also their north-west rivals Manchester United, and it will be no different as they take on AC Milan tomorrow in Athens.

Liverpool on the other hand, looks set to take a massive Champions League gamble on the fitness of Harry Kewell by starting the Australian winger in tomorrow's final. Kewell has only returned to action following the groin and foot operations he underwent.

Sir Alex Ferguson, the United Manager, has spoken of how he would like nothing better than to toast Milanese success with a vintage glass of Italian red wine. This would definitely further boost Liverpool's anger to deny him that wish.

Probable Line Up for tomorrows finals at Athens :

LIVERPOOL
Jose Reina, Steve Finnan, Daniel Agger, Jamie Carragher, John Arne Riise, Steven Gerrard, Javier Mascherano, Xabi Alonso, Bolo Zenden, Peter Crouch, Dirk Kuyt

Substitutes :
Daniele Padelli, Alvaro Arbeloa, Sami Hyypia, Mark Gonzalez, Craig Bellamy, Robbie Fowler, Jermaine Pennant

AC MILAN
Dida, Massimo Oddo, Alessandro Nesta, Paolo Maldini, Marek Jankulovski, Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo, Clarence Seedorf, Massimo Ambrosini, Kaka, Filippo Inzaghi

Substitutes :
Cafu, Giuseppe Favalli, Alberto Gilardino, Kakha Kaladze, Zeljko Kalac, Daniele Bonera, Cristian Brocchi

Finally, no football fan needs to be reminded of the last meeting between AC Milan and Liverpool, least of all any of the Red faithful. We only hope that this years final would be as eventful as the 2005 clash. What I know is that we are in for a memorable match tomorrow. It's been a long road to get here, and there is real belief that AC Milan will get this one though (at least that's Pele's and my prediction).