 Liverpool have the defence to cope with Kaka: Barnes
Former Liverpool star John Barnes doesn't believe that AC Milan's brilliant Brazilian, Kaka will be as much of a threat to Liverpool in tomorrow's Champions League final as he was to Manchester United.
The Samba-superstar ripped United apart at the San Siro to overcome a 3-2 first-leg deficit by hammering Sir Alex Ferguson's men, 3-0, ending hopes of an all-Premiership final in Athens.
However, Barnes says that Liverpool are better equipped to deal with Kaka and AC Milan and have a much better chance of keeping arguably the world's best player quiet.
"AC Milan will not get it as easy against Liverpool as they did in that second leg against Manchester United," claimed Barnes, who in his role as ambassador for the Tesco Under 13 Cup was watching Belfast's Celtic Boys take part in the finals of the competition at the City of Manchester stadium.
"United play a much more attacking game that allows Milan more space to get in behind them and cause problems. Milan will not get that amount of possession in Athens and so Liverpool will not find themselves on the back foot the way United did.
"Liverpool are well equipped to take on Milan and if they can keep Kaka quiet. then they can get the right result.
"United as a team gave him to much space. The defence and midfield were too far apart.
"With Liverpool though, the defence is right up against the midfield and doesn't allow players like Kaka to operate."
While many neutrals will be hoping for a game as exciting as the last time these two sides met in Istanbul, Barnes doesn't expect that to happen.
"This will be very different," he added. "There is no way that Liverpool are going to find themselves 3-0 down in this one.
"They played a very un-Liverpool-like way that night, too open. They won't fall into that trap again and the odd goal is going to be the difference."  | 
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