Mention the words “that night in Istanbul” to any Liverpool fan, and it will immediately resonate a sense of joy and pride about one of the greatest achievements in the club’s history. In the 2005 UEFA Champions League final, they faced the mighty AC Milan, one of the finest teams in Europe at the time. They trailed 3-0 at half-time, but then scored three second-half goals, before completing an unlikely comeback on penalties.
The victory by Liverpool ranks up there with the greatest comebacks in the history of the Champions League, alongside Manchester United’s success in 1999 in the final at the Nou Camp against Bayern Munich, and Barcelona overcoming a 4-0 deficit from their last-16 first leg tie to win 6-5 against PSG at the end of the second leg in Spain in 2017.
Here is a look at more details from that famous night in Istanbul and how Liverpool was able to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
Game of Two Halves
The term “game of two halves” is a common cliché in football, but never has it had more meaning than the 2005 Champions League final. AC Milan, the Italian champions at the time, and with the likes of Kaka, Hernan Crespo, Andriy Shevchenko, Clarence Seedorf, and Andrea Pirlo in their side, were dominant in the opening 45 minutes at the iconic football ground in Turkey. On the evidence of the first half, it looked as though they were going to cruise to the trophy.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez changed his formation at half-time as he switched to 3-4-2-1. He also made some early substitutes in the game. His side came out looking like a different team following the break. Their skipper Steven Gerrard scored nine minutes into the second half. They grabbed a second through substitute Vladimir Smicer two minutes later, and at that point Milan was shellshocked.
The English club got back on level terms just after the hour mark through Xabi Alonso. The Spaniard had missed his penalty, but he followed his shot through and beat Brazilian ‘keeper Dida following the rebound.
Dudek the Hero in Penalties
Happy 45th birthday, Jerzy Dudek ?
There’s no better excuse to post these saves from the Champions League final ? pic.twitter.com/bRYMhZgN2I
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 23, 2018
Before the game went to penalties, each team had chances to win the tie in extra time, but they probably were both happy it went to spot kicks for contrasting reasons. This was where Jerzy Dudek became a Liverpool legend for life.
Just like former Liverpool ‘keeper Bruce Grobbelaar used to do in the 80s and 90s for Liverpool when facing penalties, the Polish ‘keeper did his best to distract the Milan penalty takers with his “spaghetti legs”. It seemed to work as both Serginho and Pirlo missed their side’s opening two spot kicks.
Smicer, who had scored Liverpool’s second goal in the game, got the opportunity to win the trophy with his side’s fourth penalty of the shootout and he made no mistake, completing the comeback for the Merseyside club in the game.
Liverpool Having to Settle for Europa League This Season
Unfortunately for Liverpool fans, there will be no repeat of their 2005 Champions League triumph this season as they are in the Europa League. On September 22, they were the +300 favorites in the football betting for the competition, which is regarded as the second-highest-ranked event with UEFA.
Up and running in the #UEL ✊? pic.twitter.com/GYLva4RPT0
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 21, 2023
Jurgen Klopp’s side has one of the best records of all the British teams playing in Europe. They have made a strong start to their European campaign. They defeated LASK 3-1 in the opening game of Group E. They trailed the Austrian side in that game but scored three second-half goals to come away with all three points.
Liverpool will face Toulouse and Union Saint-Gilloise later in the group stages of the competition, and they will be expected to progress safely into the opening knockout round. Their biggest rivals for the trophy could be Italian side Roma and German side Bayer Leverkusen.
The former winners will be hoping to qualify back in the Champions League next season either through finishing in the top four of the Premier League or by winning the Europa League. They have also made a good start to the Premier League, winning four of their opening five games.
Whatever Liverpool go on to achieve this season and beyond, it will take something special to top their night in Istanbul in 2005.
