THE VITAL FACTORS

1 START WELL
While neutrals would relish the kind game that ensued two years ago, Liverpool know they cannot afford to concede as early as the first minute, as they did so famously in Istanbul. The chances of another comeback from 3-0 down are astronomical so it is vital the Reds settle quickly in Athens. Benitez will be aware how cheaply Manchester United conceded possession in the early stages of their semi-final second-leg defeat in Italy and will impress upon his players the importance of giving nothing away in the first 20 minutes.

2 STIFLE MIDFIELD
Milan demonstrated against United that, if allowed to play, they are capable of opening up teams at will. They possess arguably the best midfield in the competition, with the perfect balance of ability and aggression. But, as Celtic proved in the last 16, they can be shut down with a combination of discipline and hard work and Liverpool showed against Chelsea they are a match for anyone in that department. Controlled aggression should be Benitez's mantra in Athens. Denying the likes of Andrea Pirlo and Clarence Seedorf time on the ball should help limit the supply to dangerman Kaka.

3 STOP KAKA
Part of keeping Milan's star player quiet will be curtailing the influence of Pirlo and Seedorf but he is bound to get hold of the ball at some stage. When he does, it is vital Liverpool close him down quickly and do not allow him to get up to full speed as there are few quicker with the ball at their feet. This is where Javier Mascherano will play a crucial role, as he did against Chelsea. The Argentina midfielder must be in Kaka's face right from kick-off, while Xabi Alonso or Steven Gerrard should also be detailed to double-up on the Brazilian when necessary.

4 UNLEASH GERRARD
One of Liverpool's major problems in Istanbul was getting Gerrard into attacking positions. Their captain played too deep and was reduced to chasing shadows in the first half, and Liverpool's comeback was almost solely down to Benitez's decision to deploy Gerrard as a marauding forward after half-time. The game in Athens cannot be allowed to pass Gerrard by and, whether he starts in midfield or on the right, he must be given licence to drive at the heart of the Milan defence. If there are any psychological scars from 2005 in the Italians' minds, Gerrard can exploit them.

5 TARGET DIDA
For a team filled with international stars, it is a major surprise that Milan do not have a world-class performer in one of the positions that matters most. Liverpool's comeback two years ago could have fizzled out had the Brazilian goalkeeper saved Vladimir Smicer's speculative shot, while his recent performance at Old Trafford left much to be desired. Crosses appear his major weakness, which is why Jermain Pennant could start in Athens. However, Peter Crouch must play. Getting the likes of Gerrard and Alonso into shooting positions 25 yards out could also prove a useful tactic.

GERRARD V GATTUSO
TACKLING
Gerrard started out as a combative defensive midfielder when he broke into the Liverpool team as a teenager, matured into a box-to-box central midfielder before becoming an attacker outright. His development also saw him gradually curb the disciplinary naivety and regular horrendous challenges. However, he retains a real bite and still relishes the physical battle.

Gattuso is arguably the best in his position in the world. Never likely to be a playmaker, the former Rangers favourite has earned legendary status at the San Siro as a straightforward midfield terrier, pushing the boundaries of the law with high-tempo, aggressive ball-winning.

ATTACKING
Gerrard has blossomed into a fine attacking midfielder and has even prospered playing out wide on the right, which would have seemed highly unlikely when he made his debut as a raw youngster in 1998. He has long boasted a fierce shot and incisive passing but in recent years has developed his running with the ball and crossing.

'Rino' certainly knows his limitations and has never craved freedom to get forward. Instead, he roams in front of the defensive line, harrying, snarling and sniping. Cliched it may be, but the World Cup-winner possesses more football ability than people give him credit for, keeping it simple but efficient.

LEADERSHIP
Gerrard was identified as a future Liverpool captain right from his early days in the famous red strip. He is not the most vocal of skippers but does have motivational qualities and solid knowledge of the game.

Like Gerrard, Gattuso leads by example. But despite his position, style of play and infectious passion, he has never captained on a regular basis. He has been unfortunate that at international level Italy are rightly captained by Fabio Cannavaro and the great Paolo Maldini still wears the armband for Milan. Coach Carlo Ancelotti prefers Massimo Ambrosini as Maldini's deputy rather than Gattuso.

TROPHIES
At club level, only the Premiership title has so far eluded Gerrard. The midfielder has won the FA Cup twice, the League Cup twice, the UEFA Cup and Champions League plus several peripheral trophies such as the Community Shield and European Super Cup.

Gattuso also has a loaded mantlepiece. He helped Rangers to the Scottish League Cup in 1997-98. In 2003 he won a Champions League medal with Milan and also the Scudetto in 2004. He played a pivotal role in Italy's World Cup triumph in Germany last summer, continuing his partnership with club-mate Andrea Pirlo on the global stage under then national team boss Marcello Lippi.



KAKA’S CLAIM TO THE CROWN
Prodigiously talented AC Milan and Brazil playmaker Kaka will enhance his claims to succeed Fabio Cannavaro as FIFA World Player of the Year and Ballon d'Or winner if he can inspire the Rossoneri to Champions League success over Liverpool in Athens on May 23.

But regardless of the outcome of the match, Kaka already considers himself a man blessed.

The sight of Kaka pointing his arms to heaven after scoring in the Champions League has become a familiar sight but the 25-year-old is in no doubt that his career has been guided by a divine hand.

Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite was born in 1982 in the capital city Brasilia to a wealthy Evangelical Christian family.

However, it was at the age of 18 that the man known to the world by his nickname, Kaka, had the religious experience that changed his life.

Kaka injured his spine in a swimming accident and at one point his career was on the line.

After a year out, he returned to football - a cure he puts down to the grace of God.

Kaka is a member of the Athletes of Christ group, whose mission is to use sport to spread the gospel.

His Adidas boots bear the words "I belong to Jesus" and he has been known to wear t-shirts with the legend "I love Jesus" at events such as the victory parades that followed Brazil's World Cup win in 2002.

He says: "I want to show with my life and my work what God does for me so that others can see what God can do for them."

When, in 2005, he married Caroline Celico in a low-key ceremony devoid of the hullabaloo that surrounds so many celebrity weddings, he let it be known that he was a virgin until his wedding night. Although he has pop star looks - and is sometimes hounded by groups of screaming teenage girls - he eschews nightclubs.

But if he is reticent about hogging the limelight off the field, he commands attention on it.

Kaka is one of the, if not the, best footballer in the world at the moment and convincingly won his two semi-final duels with Cristiano Ronaldo, one of his rivals for that accolade.

Two goals in the final against Liverpool would see him finish a Champions League campaign with a competition record 12 goals.

His first club was Sao Paulo and he broke into the first team in 2001 - in an excellent first campaign he scored 12 goals in 27 outings.

The following season his star continued to ascend as he was awarded his first senior cap for a 6-0 rout of Bolivia in Goiana in January.

His early performances in the Auriverde (gold and green) colours earned him a call-up to Luiz Felipe Scolari's World Cup squad.

He played only a minor role in that tournament and was actually stripped for action, ready to come on as a substitute when referee Pierluigi Collina blew for full-time as Brazil sealed a 2-0 final win over Germany in Yokohama.

Naturally, Kaka was one of the first players to join in the public prayers on the pitch as Brazil's players, Evangelical and Catholic, linked arms and fell to their knees.

The following year he arrived in Milan and quickly made an impact with the Rossoneri, inspiring the club to the Scudetto in his first season at the San Siro.

He has gradually become a talismanic figure and travelled to last year's World Cup as an established starter in the team now coached by Carlos Alberto Parreira.

Kaka - with Ronaldinho, Adriano and Ronaldo - was a member of the so-called "magic square" but Brazil had a disappointing tournament.

His brilliant goal in Berlin against Croatia was an all-too-rare glimpse of his talent.

The 2006-07 season started in uncertainty for the Rossoneri, who were only allowed to compete in the Champions League after their initial punishment for match fixing was reduced with Real Madrid reportedly set to sign their talisman.

Club president Silvio Berlusconi, a former Italian prime minister, is confident he will keep his shining light on board, however.

"Kaka merits the golden ball award," said the Rossoneri supremo after the second leg against United.

"I'm sure he will stay with us for a long time."

Continues...