Congratulations, Liverpool.
24 comments May 26th, 2005
That was quite astonishing, you jammy gits.
We should’ve known. I tipped them to have a big season back in September. Arsene tipped them just a few days ago. But nobody expected this.
This was to be the great reality check. Not just for Liverpool, but for European football. After Porto’s surprise triumph last season, Milan would once more ascend to the throne which they last occupied in 2003.
After just one minute of play, Paolo Maldini gave Milan the lead. Pundits across the globe nodded knowingly.
38 minutes later, and the game seemed safe. Shevchenko’s cut-back was tucked away by the Argentine Crespo, and with Milan’s famous defence holding strong, it looked bleak for Liverpool. The ironic identity of the goalscorer was not lost on Liverpool: Crespo’s registration is still held by the team Liverpool had squeezed past in the semi-final, Chelsea.
Shortly before half-time, and both Andy Gray and I pronounced it “game over” when Crespo clipped a brilliant second over the advancing Jerzy Dudek.
At this stage, it was an embarrassing exposé of Liverpool’s flaws. They looked very much like the fifth best side in the Premiership. And Milan were at their imperious best, with the audacious Kaka at the eye of the storm.
But then, in six minutes, it all changed.
Liverpool seemed propelled by something other than their half-time Lucozade. They were driven on in a way that the wise words of Rafa Benitez alone could never achieve.
One banner stood out strongest amidst the dejected Liverpool fans. “Tonight, this is Anfield”. And for a brief few minutes, it was.
53 minutes: John Arne Riise’s cross is met by a resurgent Steven Gerrard, who brilliantly heads the ball into the far top corner. 1-3.
Maybe.
55 minutes: A Dietmar Hamman pass falls to substitute Vladimir Smicer. In his final appearance for the club, Smicer drills the ball low and hard beyond Dida, and into the net. 2-3.
Just maybe.
59 minutes: A dramatic Steven Gerrard tumble is rewarded with a penalty. Xabi Alonso steps up, but Dida magnificently palms clear, only for Alonso to make amends, firing the ball into the top of the net to equalise: 3-3.
3-3. 20,000 travelling Liverpool fans seemed as stunned as me, and every other observer of one of the truly great European nights.
Before we could catch our collective breath, extra-time was upon us, and it soon became clear that whilst Milan were eager to go for the win, Liverpool knew they were riding a wave of such momentum that penalties was no longer a frightening prospect. A side that had seemed impelled towards this trophy, carried on the concerted virtues of Carragher, Gerrard, and the Kop sensed that their luck was in.
And when penalties arrived, they were proved correct. Serginho blasted high and wide. Dudek saved from from Pirlo and Shevchenko. Dida’s phenomenal stop to deny Riise was rendered irrelevant: Liverpool had done it.
Some may criticise the manner in which Dudek came off his line to narrow the angle. These people have very short-term memories. Just as the FA Cup Final seemed revenge for Rooney’s dive, the Champions League Final once more showed footballing karma in action. In 2003, Dida had helped Milan beat Juventus, on the very same date in the football calendar, using the very same tactics. These things, as they say, tend to even themselves out.
Liverpool have done something truly extraordinary. Coming back from 3-0 down against any side is almost impossible. But against Milan? Unthinkable.
Congratulations to them. They absolutely deserve it. Rafa Benitez has now matched Jose Mourinho’s feat of winning the UEFA Cup and then the Champions League in consecutive seasons. And yet, somehow, I don’t think we’ll see him calling himself “The Special One” anytime soon. He’s a good humble man, and he deserves his success.
And Liverpool are a good club, based on a solid foundation and a fantastic fanbase. I can happily say I’d rather see them be successful than the corporate machines of Manchester and Chelsea.
I won’t dwell on what little Arsenal-related news there is: this is Liverpool’s night. It is a night belonging to each and every one of their fans, including the very special boy who tonight had the honour of lifting their 5th European Cup: Steven Gerrard. This means more to him than anyone.
And luckily for Arsenal fans, he won’t be seen in the blue of Chelsea come next August.
He’ll walk on.
