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This is an archive article published on December 26, 2005

Soccer146;s Red-letter day

THE STORY: Liverpool, spurred on by talismanic captain Steven Gerrard, scripted the year8217;s biggest comeback against AC Milan when they ...

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THE STORY: Liverpool, spurred on by talismanic captain Steven Gerrard, scripted the year8217;s biggest comeback against AC Milan when they overturned a 0-3 half-time deficit to eventually win 3-2 on penalties and lift the Champions Trophy in Istanbul.

The match, football8217;s most exciting of all time, saw six minutes of inspired play and Jerzy Dudek8217;s valiant efforts under the bar for Rafa8217;s men to win a trophy they had made theirs in the 1980s.

It wasn8217;t their first comeback. In the group stage, they were four minutes from the exit against Olympiakos, before Gerrard rescued them. They followed that with wins over Juventus and Chelsea on their road to Istanbul. The climax 8212; the second-half turnover and Shevchenko8217;s penalty miss 8212; completed the dream run.

BEFORE: Written off by the world, deserted by their local hero Michael Owen, the Reds weren8217;t even the best team in Liverpool Everton took that honour. Their only way of staying in Europe was to win the Champions League. Before the final, they had every neutral on their side, including Newcastle fan Tony Blair.

BETWEEN: At half-time, three goals down against the meanest defence, Liverpool were in shock. The usually unflappable Beniexcl;tez mixed up names and numbers and all the players had to cling on to was the memory of Olympiakos 8212; and the awe-inspiring support of their fans.

AFTER: The world held its breath, and then the Red supporters painted Liverpool red and the victors swayed to Frank Sinatra8217;s 8216;My Way8217; in the team-bus. Liverpool were given a special entry to the next season8217;s tournament and currently are on a roll in the Premiership

 

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