You're jurassic, Gerrard - Milan hard man Gattuso taunts Rafa's dinosaurs

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AC Milan hard man Gennaro Gattuso on Thursday night labelled Champions League opponents Liverpool a bunch of long-ball dinosaurs and warned Steven Gerrard he is after revenge for the 2005 final defeat.

The finalists of two years ago will square up again in Athens on May 23, with Milan desperate to atone for the penalty shoot-out defeat in Istanbul that gave Liverpool their fifth European Cup.

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Passion play: But Gerrard's Liverpool do not impress Gattuso

Gattuso emerged from a starring role in Milan's semi-final defeat of Manchester United to mock Liverpool's tactics and remind Gerrard that he is aware of the comments the Liverpool captain made in his autobiography last year.

Gerrard described the former Rangers midfielder as a kitten and accused him of showboating.

Gattuso said last night: "I feel there is a difference between United and Liverpool and we beat the best side of the two. United, at this moment, have far more technical players.

"All Liverpool try to do is defend together, with everybody behind the ball and just one striker.

"All they do is play long balls — every ball is a long ball. It is very different to Manchester, who are a real footballing team."

Gerrard was at the heart of Liverpool's astonishing comeback in 2005, scoring the first Liverpool goal and winning the penalty — thanks to a foul by Gattuso — that levelled the scores after Milan had gone in at half-time 3-0 up.

In his book Gerrard: My Autobiography,the Liverpool captain said: "I wasn't worried about Gattuso before the game, during the game, or after.

"People rate the Italian for some reason. For me, he is all mouth. He looks aggressive, but he is as scary as a kitten.

"I swear I wouldn't mind playing against Gattuso every week. He doesn't hurt you. I have never seen Gattuso play a killer ball.

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Gatusso: 'A kitten', says Gerrard

"He won't nick a goal either. The type of midfielder I worry about is Riquelme, Kaka or Ronaldinho. They go, pass, bang, goal.

"Gattuso just plays for the fans — theatrical and emotional. He was also the one Milan player who had a smirk on his face leaving the pitch at half-time. I saw it. F*** you.

"A couple of other Milan players waved at their fans and family. That disgusted me. So did Pirlo's nutmeg just before half-time. Disrespectful.

"OK, Milan were battering us, but you never behave like that to opponents. I was steaming as I arrived in the dressing room. 'These ****s think it is all over. It's not'."

Gattuso said that Gerrard's remarks gave him all the motivation he needed for the showdown in Athens.

The Italy midfielder said: "I have 20 days to prepare to play against him again. I am looking forward to playing him again and looking him in the eye before it starts."

Gattuso denied Gerrard's claim that the Milan players were already celebrating at half-time in Istanbul, saying: "No, we didn't do that at all.

"It was wrong to say that. For me this is not about Gattuso against Gerrard, despite what he said."

 

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