Captain Gerrard unfazed by Milan mind games

The Liverpool skipper has found himself, and his colleagues, the subject of almost constant goading from the Italian club - much of it coming from the combative Gattuso.

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Gerrard has tried his best to rise above it all, even if he accepts that perhaps he started much of the antagonism by being critical of Gattuso in his recent autobiography, suggesting he was as frightening as a kitten.

But now, as Gerrard awaits tomorrow's Champions League final clash with the Italians, he insisted: "I am not going into this game worried about Gattuso.

"I am worried about AC Milan generally and I am worried about myself. My main focus is to get myself right. But if I can do that, we will see if Gattuso can stop me.

"If my form is right and I feel good I am confident I can overcome anything Milan put in my way.

"We take no notice of the mind games. This final is not about that, it is about two fantastic teams and I am sure the best one on the night will win it.

"It is part and parcel of football that there will be a lot of stuff said around the game. The players have learned to cope with that.

"It is all about making sure you do your job as an individual and do the things the manager has asked you to do.

"I am sure the winners of the competition will be the team who deals with the pressure the best on the night."

He added: "I'm told Milan think Manchester United are better than Liverpool, and they are entitled to their opinion. We are not really interested in what is coming out of their camp.

"What is important to us is that we prepare right and the Liverpool team who have done so well in Europe this season is the one that turns up here on the night.

"If that good team turns up, Milan are in for a really difficult game and we are confident we can lift that cup."

Gerrard, who will be 27 on Friday, wants another winners' medal as a birthday present.

He said: "I have watched AC Milan a lot this season, they are different from 2005. The team is quite different, similar to ours and our changes.

"They showed against Manchester United they are a fantastic team who deserve a lot of respect. We will give them that but we don't fear them. We are a good team ourselves and we are confident we can do the job.

"I don't think either team has an advantage. You have two fantastic teams who have done really well in the competition. It is a one-off game and anything can happen, but the first goal is very important.

"I don't think it will be a similar game to 2005. I think it will be a lot more cautious. The defences will be a lot tighter this time round.

"And despite all the comments I have heard, it is not about me as an individual, it is about the team.

"We have shown that we have improved a lot over the last two years. It is a magnificent achievement to get to two finals in three years, and now we aim to win it again."

But Gerrard could not avoid one dig at the Italians, who stunned Liverpool when several players touched the trophy as they marched out for the 2005 final in Istanbul.

Gerrard said: "That is considered very bad luck, we were surprised they did it.

"I can assure you I won't let any of our lads touch the cup. You only touch it when you've won it."