Title challenge can follow cup win - Hamann

May 23 2007 Liverpool Daily Post

FORMER European Cup winner Dietmar Hamann has backed Liverpool to win the Champions League – and then finally break the domestic dominance of Manchester United and Chelsea.

Liverpool will be chasing a sixth European crown when they tackle AC Milan in Athens tonight, a rematch of the dramatic 2005 Champions League final.

But Liverpool have not won the league title since 1990 and that remains the priority for manager Rafael Benitez, who is planning a summer clearout in order to build a squad capable of “all-round success”.

Benitez said: “A second Champions League final in three seasons shows what can be done but we want to achieve even more.

“We need to improve to challenge in the Premiership. We are already one of the most famous names in football but we have the chance to take advantage of our position.”

And Hamann, who spent seven years at Anfield and was a member of that victorious 2005 team, is convinced Liverpool’s time is coming again.

He said: “I can certainly see Liverpool beating AC Milan. Both teams are better than they were two years ago but Liverpool have improved more.

“There is no reason why they shouldn’t win and to bring the trophy back twice in three years would be an unbelievable achievement. It is the next step to winning the Premier League.

“It will give them a huge lift and give them a better chance of winning the league over the next few years. They will certainly challenge Chelsea and Manchester United.”

Irrespective of the result in Athens, Liverpool’s new owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have agreed to finance the club’s drive for the league title.