I’d like to have Gerrard in my team admits Kaka

May 16 2007 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

AC MILAN playmaker Kaka has dismissed Liverpool as a long-ball team – but admits he would rather be lining up alongside rather than against Steven Gerrard in Athens next week.

The Brazil international has been the Rossoneri’s outstanding performer in their run to the final.

Kaka (pictured) is the tournament’s leading scorer with 10 goals, three coming over the two legs of Milan’s semi-final win over Manchester United.

But the 25-year-old reckons the Italians must overcome a different type of team to the United outfit they comprehensively outclassed earlier this month.

“I think Liverpool are different from Manchester, they play a game that is very typical of English soccer,” said Kaka. “They are a very well-coached team by (Rafael) Benitez and they are a very tactical team. They are a team that marks tight.

“Manchester are a team that like to play more, the quality of their passing is better and they keep the ball longer.”

Milan were beaten on penalties by Liverpool in the Cham-pions League final in 2005, despite being 3-0 ahead at half-time.

And Kaka added: “Everyone is talking about revenge for what happened in 2005. It happened. We lost that final, Liverpool were the champions and it will always be remembered that way.

“So we have the opportunity to once again, make our mark on history.”

Steven Gerrard scored the first for Benitez’s men and was a driving force for Liverpool in Istanbul, a performance Kaka has not forgotten.

“An excellent player, in my opinion, he is a modern player because he is a player who runs, marks, knows how to pass, cross, score goals and he is a leader on the field for Liverpool,” he added. “He is a player that I would like to have in my team.”

Meanwhile, Paolo Maldini will do “everything possible” to be fit for the clash in Athens’ Olympic Stadium next Wednesday.

The 38-year-old defender, who missed the second leg of Milan’s semi-final win over United, has been struggling with a persistent knee injury all season but opted to delay surgery until the summer.

Maldini played 65 minutes of Milan’s 1-1 draw with Catania on Sunday and is following a specific fitness plan in order to be ready for the final.

“After the league game against (Catania on Sunday) my knee swelled up but it was expected,” said Maldini.

“I have to have a personalised training programme this week but I know I can be fit for the game against Liverpool. However, I will only play if I’m 100% cent fit. Otherwise I will have no problems giving up my place to somebody else.”

Maldini is aiming for a fifth European Cup winners’ medal after appearing in Milan’s successful teams of 1989, 1990, 1994 and 2003.

And he added: “I always believed we could reach the final this season. Now we have the chance to write another great page in our history.

“The Istanbul defeat in 2005 still hurts but I'm sure Liverpool know they will never win a match like that again. Compared to our last two finals in Manchester and Istanbul we are in much better shape.”