Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has hit back at criticism from AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso, challenging the Italian international midfielder to 'Stop me' if he can in their Champions League Final encounter in Athens on Wednesday.

29-year-old Gattuso who, after seeing his team leading 3-0 at half-time in the Champions League Final in Istanbul two years ago, suffered a penalty shootout defeat at the hands of Liverpool, is at the centre of the AC Milan pre-match mind-games targeting the Liverpool players ahead of the final in Athens, with the Liverpool skipper finding himself back in a war of words with Gattuso.

Gerrard knows that it was perhaps he who started much of the antagonism between himself and Gattuso after, in his recent autobiography, Gerrard suggested that Gattuso was in his experience, “As frightening as a kitten”.

But despite the war of words prior to Wednesday's Champions League final rematch with the Italian giants, Gerrard, speaking to Premierleague.com, 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,” exclaimed the Liverpool skipper.

“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.

“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,” continued the Reds skipper.

“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 is aiming to celebrate his 27th birthday on Friday with another European medal under his belt, continued: “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.

Gerrard is also keen to make it known that he holds no personal grudge for the statements made prior to the match. saying: “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.”

Wednesday night’s encounter is sure to prove to be another memorable European final between two of the most successful clubs in European history, with both teams looking to advance their records. Liverpool looking to equal AC Milan's record of six European Cup wins, with the Rossoneri looking for their 7th European success.

Teams:

Liverpool (To be chosen from): Jose Reina, Steve Finnan, Jamie Carragher, Daniel Agger, John Arne Riise, Jermaine Pennant, Steven Gerrard, Javier Mascherano, Harry Kewell, Dirk Kuyt, Peter Crouch, Jerzy Dudek, Alvaro Arbeloa, Craig Bellamy, Xabi Alonso, Momo Sissoko, Boudewijn Zenden, Sami Hyypia, Robbie Fowler, Gabriel Paletta, Daniele Padelli.

AC Milan (To be chosen from): Nelson Dida, Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Nesta, Massimo Oddo, Massimo Ambrosini, Gennaro Gattuso, Kaká, Marek Jankulovski, Andrea Pirlo, Clarence Seedorf, Filippo Inzaghi, Kakha Kaladze, Daniele Bonera, Cristian Brocchi, Cafu, Giuseppe Favalli, Zeljko Kalac, Sergio Serginho, Alberto Gilardino.