Wenger tips Liverpool to beat Milan in Istanbul

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is tipping unfancied Liverpool to beat a jaded Milan in the Champions League final in Istanbul tomorrow.

Liverpool finished only fifth in the Premier League and have already lost one final this year after Chelsea came from behind to win the League Cup in Cardiff.

Wenger believes, however, that Milan's surrender of the Serie A title to Juventus has dealt them a psychological blow which Liverpool can exploit in their bid for a fifth European Cup.

Wenger, whose team needed a penalty shootout to beat Manchester United in the FA Cup final on Saturday, said: "Personally, I fancy Liverpool because I feel Milan look jaded physically and certainly mentally by losing the championship.

"I think they have never had a better chance of beating Milan than now."

Wenger compared Milan's recent form to their polished 1-0 victory over United at Old Trafford in February in the first knockout round. Carlo Ancelotti's side followed up with another 1-0 win at San Siro in the second leg.

"When Milan played at Old Trafford, they looked at the peak of their game," the Frenchman said.

"But now, I've watched them twice recently, they don't look very comfortable."

The killer blow to Milan's hopes of retaining the title was delivered two weeks ago in a 1-0 home defeat by Juve, who Liverpool beat in the Champions League quarter-finals.

A week later, Milan were held to a 2-2 draw at Lecce.

On Friday, they handed the title to a Juve side coached by former Milan boss Fabio Capello after what was virtually a reserve side were held to a 3-3 home draw by Palermo.