Aldridge: Top trio must play together

May 23 2007 Paul Walker, Liverpool Daily Post

LIVERPOOL legend John Aldridge maintains that Rafael Benitez must get all his best players on the pitch together – even if that means playing Steven Gerrard on the right – if they are to clinch a sixth European Cup triumph.

One option for Benitez is to repeat the semi-final line- up which saw Xabi Alonso miss out at the start and Gerrard play in his favoured central midfield role.

But the Spaniard is thought to favour a line-up which would see Gerrard operate just behind front man Dirk Kuyt while Alonso and Javier Mascherano fill the central roles. The fact that all the leading players could be on the pitch together has found favour with the former Anfield striker.

Former Tranmere manager Aldridge, speaking at a soccer fun day organised by Vodaphone in Athens, said: “You need your best players on the pitch for such a final, and these three are the best. It may mean Stevie will have to play on the right again, but he can be very dangerous there.

“I feel Rafa has to accommodate all three of those midfielders, Milan play with five across the middle so Liverpool have to match them.”

He added: “Milan will be very wary, very intimidated by Gerrard. He’s a big match player and he can win the game for Liverpool. He is the key.

“I expect Rafa to use him in a free role. He is pivotal to the way Liverpool play. I think Liverpool will go for it and the game will be much quicker than people expect. We must be very aware of what Milan can do, with Kaka and Gennaro Gattuso. We must nullify their threat and get Gerrard into the game as much as possible.”

Aldridge also believes that the game could go to penalties in a repeat of the sides’ meeting in the 2005 final in Istanbul – something he insists favours his former employers.

He said: “If Liverpool go one or two down, it will be nagging in the back of the Milan player’s minds that we can get it back after last time. That is a big psychological point for Liverpool. They may want revenge after last time, but that can work against them because they will want to come forward and force the game. That will play right into Liverpool’s hands.

“Liverpool have so much self belief and if it went to penalties again it will be a massive boost for them, they know they can do it.

“They did it in Istanbul, they did it against West Ham in last season’s FA Cup final and they did it against Chelsea in the Champions League semi- final.The belief that they can win shoot-outs is hugely important, and I can see this game going to penalties again

“Liverpool have got more bottle than Milan. They need Gattuso to play well, when he goes off the pitch Milan can collapse.”