Premiership better than Serie A?

Ranieri, spotted at Anfield during Liverpool's 2-0 win over Roma, said "The English game has benefited greatly from the influx of foreign players and coaches but it has had the good sense to blend the imported qualitites with its traditional spirit.

"By that I mean a great sporting culture and the determination to fight right to the end. Italian football's spell at the top is over. They were the masters of European football for a decade. This was based on our attacking game, allied to our strangths-defending, concentration for 90 minutes and counter-attacking play.

"We handed out lessons to everybody. But the other countries have learned and know how to combat Italian sides."