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Liverpool were in their first Champions League final for 20 years and the chase for a fifth European title started to get away from them no sooner had the 2005 showpiece at Istanbul's Attaturk Stadium begun. AC Milan great Paolo Maldini put the Italian giants ahead inside the first minutes and a brace from Hernan Crespo concluded a first half of total domination.
"It could have been 5-0 or 6-0," Steven Gerrard said reflecting on Liverpool's nightmare 45 minutes. But manager Rafael Benitez had a tactical change up his sleeve to unleash the talismanic Gerrard. Experienced holding midfielder Dietmar Hamann came on and Liverpool reverted to a back three, allowing Gerrard to rove further forward. He headed Liverpool's first goal in the 54th minute. Six minutes later, it was 3-3: Vladimir Smicer scored from a low, long-range effort and Gerrard stormed into the Milan area to win a penalty that Xabi Alonso converted on the rebound.
Liverpool could not keep up the relentless mayhem and were indebted to goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek for an astonishing double save to thwart Andriy Shevchenko three minutes from the end of extra time. When Dudek denied Shevchenko in the subsequent penalty shootout, Liverpool were continental kings after the greatest comeback ever seen in European football's showpiece match.
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