Riise believes there is no psychological edge over Italian opponents

May 23 2007 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

JOHN ARNE RIISE has dismissed claims Liverpool hold a psychological edge going into tonight’s Champions League final against AC Milan.

But the Norwegian insists Rafael Benitez’s are better equipped to lift the European crown again than two years ago.

The teams met at the same stage of the competition in Istanbul in 2005, when Liverpool secured a famous win on penalties following an enthralling 3-3 draw.

Riise, though, believes that result will have little bearing on the Anfield outfit’s performance in the Athens Olympic Stadium.

“Obviously, Milan want revenge,” said the left-back. “But we aren’t focused on two years ago. We are confident but have respect for Milan for getting to the final and I’m sure they have respect for us as well. We are just focusing on ourselves.

“I don’t think we have a psychological advantage, but we know what to expect from the game. We want to go ahead and play our own game. We prepared well in Spain last week and we feel we are ready to go.”

While Milan have retained most of their 2005 side, Liverpool are much-changed from the line-up that stepped out in Istanbul.

And Riise, one of only five starters in Turkey expected to be on from the kick-off in Athens tonight, reckons Benitez’s side are now a tougher proposition.

“The team is stronger now and has more experience,” said the Norwegian.

“Two years ago we had no idea what we were going to go through as we hadn’t experienced a game like that before. We bring that experience now.