Liverpool spot-on for final shoot-out, says Alonso

LIVERPOOL, England, May 21 (Reuters) Midfielder Xabi Alonso says Liverpool will have the edge over AC Milan if the Champions League final goes to a penalty shoot-out again.

Rafael Benitez's side beat the Italians on spot-kicks after a memorable 2005 final and also knocked out Chelsea in the semi-finals this season when the game went to penalties.

''We will love to go to penalties if it finishes the same way as it did in 2005. We practice them a lot. It is always important to do that,'' Spaniard Alonso told reporters.

Polish keeper Jerzy Dudek produced the shoot-out heroics with his 'rubber-legs' antics in Istanbul two years ago. Dudek has since been replaced by Pepe Reina in goal but Alonso says the Spanish keeper is just as adept at saving penalties.

''Jerzy was good for us in Istanbul and Pepe is known in Spain for saving penalties,'' he added.

''He prepares a lot and prepares for them well and the player who has to shoot should be worried.

''His secret is researching how people shoot their penalties and he learns where they will put the ball.'' Alonso does not expect the final to be similar to the amazing 2005 showpiece when Liverpool conceded three first-half goals before recovering to draw level in six second-half minutes.

He scored the goal that brought the tie level at 3-3 after 60 minutes, lashing home a rebound into the roof of the net after Dida had dived to save his penalty.

''Two years ago we conceded in the first minute and it broke the plan we had. It meant they had more space and Kaka played very well in that first half,'' he said.

''We will try not to let that happen again and perform the plan as we want to.

''It's not often you see a final like that. Going three goals down at halftime, it was unbelievable scoring three goals against them quickly.

''The first 35 minutes was not great and we can't let them score as early as they did and we can't make big mistakes.

''But that's the past and now we have to look to the future.'' Reuters bjr kp1724