"I will always be a Liverpool fan for the rest of my life," said Houllier, who spent six years at the Reds. "There are still players there that I got started and connections to the team which we set up.

"But after the way Arsenal played in Milan, I think they are the favourites even if they are having a bit of trouble in the league.

"In Milan I saw a team which is focused, committed and above all else very talented."