Xabi: We need Arsenal style

Xabi Alonso believes Liverpool will have to emulate Arsenal if they are to transfer their European success on to the domestic stage.

The 23-year-old midfielder, signed by Rafael Benitez from Real Sociedad for £10.5m last summer, says Liverpool can change their style of play.

Alonso, whose side finished fifth in the Premiership, said: "We're stronger in Europe than in the Premiership which is difficult to explain. I feel we can beat anyone.

"What is happening at Liverpool is a huge adventure and I was ready for this change in culture. Many teams in England still play the long ball but little by little coaches are placing more emphasis on the pause and the pass, knowing how to vary the pace of the match.

"Arsenal have managed to do it, they have a style. That's what Liverpool are after. If we manage to get to the style Benitez wants, we will be a very difficult team to beat."

AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti expects Liverpool to stick to their Italian style 'catenaccio' game for tonight's European Cup Final at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium. Catenaccio, or bolt in English, was patented in Italy, a defensive approach whereby a team defends deeply and tries to score a goal on the counter-attack.

Liverpool have been criticised for using this tactic in Europe, but it helped them to eliminate Juventus in the quarter-finals and Chelsea in the semi-finals.

"They've defended in matches in which they've needed to defend and they've used that style to good effect," said Ancelotti, who guided Milan to European Cup success in 2003.

"They play to their strengths and one of them is their defence, which has made a big impression on me. They play their own kind of game, one which suits them, just as we do.

"They carefully choose their moment to attack. They are a solid unit, a very balanced squad."

Alonso, though, believes Benitez would be a worthy winner of the tournament. "He deserves it - he is already a winner," he said. "He thinks about games a lot and he has shown that with his European success. He knows exactly how to win."