Jimmy Case knows all about what is required to win the European Cup.

He did it three times with Liverpool's all-conquering side of the late Seventies and Eighties and is predicting more glory tonight.

Case, who went on to play for and manage Albion after leaving Anfield, believes John Arne Riise will take a leaf out of his own book and seal victory for Liverpool against AC Milan in the Champions League final.

Case, now 51, was the unlikely goal hero in three of Liverpool's four triumphant European Cup campaigns.

He scored 13 goals in 35 games in Europe for Liverpool, including a semi-final winner against Borussia Moenchengladbach in 1978.

The tough-tackling midfielder, who missed Liverpool's fourth triumph in 1984 after joining the Seagulls for £350,000 following the emergence of Sammy Lee, believes Norwegian Riise can play the same role.

He said: "The opponents looked to close down Kevin Keegan and Kenny Dalglish first, then Steve Heighway.

"They were also aware that Graeme Souness and Terry McDermott had an eye for goal.

"Usually they weren't watching out for me. I always fancied myself to score and I got quite a few in Europe.

"My favourite goal was that one against Borussia because it got the team to the final.

"The Italians will think about Milan Baros and Djibril Cisse first and perhaps Stevie Gerrard next.

"But Risse has got a good shot on him and Milan might not be aware of just how dangerous he can be."

Case, who won winners medals in 1977, 1978 and 1981, said: "I have heard Milan's coach saying his current side is better than the one that won the trophy in 2003.

"It is going to be difficult. Liverpool expect them to defend. But I am sure the Reds can take confidence if they watched Milan's semi-final against PSV Eindhoven. Milan were frightened to death when PSV got at them.

"I'm not saying it will be a classic. Milan have been trying it on by saying how defensive Liverpool are and that they will try to pull them out of position. But that won't wash. I think they will be more defensive-minded than Liverpool.

"Liverpool had a stop-start season in the Premiership but have developed in Europe.

"There was a difference in the way you approached games on the continent in my day and that is still the case now.

"You have to be more tactically astute and the manager, Rafael Benitez, seems to be a good tactician.

"He has done very well in his first season because he has had to overcome injuries to big players along the way.

"At the beginning of the season you would not have backed Liverpool to reach a European final.

"But their confidence has grown and the team has matured together at the right time.

"Look at Jamie Carragher, a Liverpool lad like me. He has played out of his skin in a way that did not seem possible at the start of the season.

"And Benitez has brought in a great player in Alonso. And, of course, there is Gerrard.

"People say it is a surprise Liverpool have made it this far. But what is the big surprise? They are there on merit. You don't get past Juventus and Chelsea without warranting it. They deserve all the credit."

Case, who scored 46 goals in 269 games for Liverpool, says victory in Istanbul tonight could spark of another golden era for the club.

He said: "The supporters have been a bit starved of success in recent years but now things might change. Liverpool could come back with a bang and progress and get a few more trophies.

"I'd love that to happen for the fans. They are magical."

Case, who is based in Southampton, has spent the past few days in his home town sampling the Champions League final fever.

He said: "My brother is a cabbie and told me four supporters set out in a Hackney cab last Wednesday. They had 3,500 miles to travel. I hope the meter hasn't been running!"

Safety concerns have been voiced about the choice of Istanbul to stage the final.

Two Leeds fans were killed when the Yorkshire club visited the Turkish city for a European tie.

It is also Liverpool's first European Cup final since the Heysel Stadium tragedy 20 years ago when 39 fans died before the match with Juventus.

Case, who will watch tonight's final on television in England, said: "No one will ever forget Heysel but I think that was more of an issue when Liverpool played Juve in the quarter-finals this year.

"Istanbul is not the best place to have the final. People do talk about the reputation for football violence out there.

"But I believe it will be okay and the Liverpool fans will go there just for the football.

"If you ask any of my Liverpool team-mates to pick out the best of the European Cup wins it would have to be the one in Rome. We knew we were okay in England but the European Cup was something different.

"They were unbelievable times. I enjoyed every minute, especially as I was born in the city."

l Rafael Benitez insists winning the Champions League will be the greatest achievement of his football life and would cost him a fortune!

The Liverpool manager is supremely confident that his underdogs can triumph against hot favourites AC Milan tonight in the Ataturk Stadium.

He is more than aware that it will be an expensive victory for him. Benitez has already admitted that he buys his wife, Monse, a special watch every time his teams win a major trophy.

She already has three for the two Primera Liga crowns and one UEFA Cup he won with Valencia, and he said prior to the collision with Milan: "My wife is nervous for me but I will see her the day after the game and take her to the jewellers.

"The UEFA Cup was important, but this cup is more important for me as a manager it would be the biggest achievement in my career to win it."