Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini has welcomed their Champions League pairing with Liverpool.

"It is a good draw," assured Mancio. "There are no weak sides in the competition now and history teaches us that when you pick those who are weaker on paper, they are the ones where you most risk tripping up.

"It is better to take on the strongest of the lot, as if you want to lift the trophy then you have to beat them all. I think this will be a battle of two great teams."

Liverpool have only met Inter once before, in the 1964-65 semi-final. The Italians lost 3-1 away, but won the second leg 3-0 and went on to lift the European Cup.

"Liverpool are a strong side, very solid with great players. They have the English mentality, but also the tactical nous of a Coach who studies and prepares for games very carefully," added Mancini.

"They are very good on home turf and have eliminated Chelsea twice as well as Juventus in recent years."