Pršo backs rampant Reds

By Alex O'Henley

Dado Pršo is backing Liverpool FC to see off the challenge of Chelsea FC in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League and emulate his former club AS Monaco FC by reaching this year's final in Istanbul on May 25.

Beaten finalist
The Rangers FC forward scored six goals during Monaco's march to the final last season, including four in one match against RC Deportivo La Coruña, and the Croatian sees similarities between his experience of 2004 and Liverpool's successful run in this season's competition.

Inconsistent form
Speaking to uefa.com, Pršo said: "Like Liverpool, Monaco weren't playing that consistently in their domestic league last season but when it came to the Champions League we always seemed to find our best form, apart from the final obviously when we lost 3-0 to [FC] Porto. But Liverpool showed against Juventus [FC] that they have the players and the system to succeed in the Champions League and I think they have a good chance of going through."

Underdog status
Pršo knows what it takes to succeed against the Stamford Bridge club having scored the opening goal in the first leg of last year's semi-final which Monaco went on to win 5-3 on aggregate. Although Fernando Morientes, who was also on the scoresheet that night, is cup-tied having played for Real Madrid CF in the group stages, Pršo still thinks Liverpool have enough quality to cause an upset and could profit from being underdogs just as Chelsea did in last season's quarter-final against Arsenal FC.

Nothing to lose
"It is very similar to last season when Arsenal played Chelsea," he added. "Everyone expected Arsenal to win because they always won against Chelsea, but they didn't and the same could happen this season. Chelsea always win against Liverpool, but Liverpool are getting stronger with each game. Players like [Djibril] Cissé and [Xabi] Alonso are coming back into the team and the pressure is all on Chelsea. Liverpool don't have anything to lose and I think they have a great chance."

French sides
The 30-year-old striker kept a close eye on the French clubs in this season's competition and while Pršo was not surprised to see Monaco falter at the first knockout stage, he was disappointed that Olympique Lyonnais did not progress to the semi-finals.

Monaco influx
"Expectation was very high and that made it harder for Monaco," he explained. "Last season no one expected us to get to the final - this year everyone thought a semi-final place was already in their pocket. But what they have to remember is that a lot of new players came in and it has taken them time to settle just as I had to do here at Rangers.

Connoisseur's football
"I was very impressed by Lyon," he added. "They have an excellent coach in Paul Le Guen. To score so many goals and not progress to the semi-finals is a real shame for them but also for the competition because they play very attractive football and are a good team to watch."

Milan tip
As for the other semi-final, Pršo predicts a close encounter between AC Milan and PSV Eindhoven although he makes the Rossoneri favourites to progress and lift Europe's elite tournament for a seventh time.

Winners again
"I don't think Milan will be going into this tie against PSV thinking it will be easy," he said. "However, Milan are a strong side from back to front and if they play as they can they are the favourites for sure - and if they get to the final I think they will win it again."