Liverpool, May 23, 2018 (News Wires) - Former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez believes the current side's devastating attacking trio marks them out as a superior unit to the one he guided to a famous 2005 Champions League triumph in Istanbul. Forwards Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane have plundered 29 goals between them in Europe's elite club competition this season heading into Saturday's final against Real Madrid in Kiev. "We achieved what we achieved, they talk about the 'Miracle of Istanbul' but this team is better," Benitez, who led the team to a fifth European crown in Turkey when they rallied from 3-0 down at halftime to win on penalties, told British media. That Liverpool squad was hardly short of quality with the likes of Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso and Dietmar Hamann pulling the strings in midfield, but Benitez said Juergen Klopp's side had more players capable of settling a contest on their own. "We had Stevie, of course, also some players with experience and quality... we had players who worked very hard, we had a good balance," Newcastle United boss Benitez, who also had a stint at Real Madrid, added. Meanwhile, Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos says his side will be ready for the "11 animals" that await them in their Champions League final meeting against Liverpool this Saturday in Kiev. The playmaker is well-acquainted with Juergen Klopp, the Liverpool coach, from their days in the Bundesliga when Klopp's Borussia Dortmund frequently got the better of Kroos's Bayern Munich. "When we played against his team, it was difficult. At Bayern Munich, we always had a lot of problems against Dortmund," Kroos said. "We're expecting an aggressive Liverpool who have a really quick forward line, but we can stop them. It will be tough. "That is what I expect on Saturday. His teams are always aggressive, they press you a lot – for 90 minutes. They are highly motivated. I expect a very tough game for us but with opportunities to win. Just like his manager Zinedine Zidane earlier on Tuesday, Kroos refuted the claim that Liverpool might be hungrier given Madrid have won the past two editions of the competition. "I think both are hungry and I don't see a favourite. To reach a Champions League final you can't be a bad team. Liverpool beat Manchester City, one of the big favourites," the German said. Kroos was full of praise for Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah, who is enjoying a stunning first year with the club scoring 44 goals in all competitions. "I have been very impressed by his numbers. I have not seen him that much but the numbers in the Premier League are impressive," he said, before warning it would be an error just to focus on the Egyptian. "We have to beat the Liverpool team – not just one player," Kroos added. With Madrid seeking a third consecutive Champions League crown and Klopp looking to end a run of five consecutive major cup finals without a win, one record will come to an end in Kiev - and Kroos is hoping it is not the reigning champions'. "I didn't know (Klopp's record) but to arrive in the final is difficult enough," he said. "I hope this record doesn't change."
