LIVERPOOL fans are still toasting their Champions League win over Tottenham in 2019.
But even the most ardent Anfield supporter will admit it pales in comparison to 2005’s Istanbul comeback against AC Milan.
Led by Rafa Benitez, the Reds lined up against one of the greatest club sides in European history.
A backline of Dida, Cafu, Jaap Stam, Alessandro Nesta and Paolo Maldini made for a rock-solid defence.
And a midfield four of Andrea Pirlo, Andrea Gattuso, Clarence Seedorf and Kaka remains one of the best in the business.
Milan also boasted a fearsome frontline of Andriy Shevchenko and Hernan Crespo.
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And the Italians made their dominance show by storming into a 3-0 lead at half-time.
However, Liverpool produced the greatest comeback in football history to level the score at 3-3 by the 61st minute.
The two sides then played out extra time before going to penalties.
And it was the Reds who emerged victorious, with Milan missing three of their five efforts.
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But what became of 2005’s heroes? And where are they today?
SunSport reveals all below…
GK — JERZY DUDEK
Polish ace, 50, saved two penalties in the shootout and remains iconic thanks to distracting Milan with his “spaghetti legs.”
He spent four years at Real Madrid after leaving Liverpool in 2007.
Dudek raced in the Volkswagen Castrol Cup in 2014, and he is now promotes the Champions League as an ambassador for Uefa.
RB — STEVE FINNAN
Irish defender, 47, played for Espanyol and Portsmouth after leaving Anfield.
He retired in 2010 and moved into business ventures, setting up a property development company in London.
But in 2020 it was revealed the company had gone into liquidation, with Finnan auctioning off his winner medal after racking up £3.6million-worth of debt.
CB — JAMIE CARRAGHER
Popular centre-back, 45, was still playing for Reds up until 2013.
He has now made a name for himself as a pundit on Sky Sports and CBS.
And Carragher isn’t afraid to ruffle a few feathers either, even calling out Man United legend Rio Ferdinand recently.
CB — SAMI HYYPIA
Finnish favourite, 49, finished his career at Bayer Leverkusen after leaving Anfield in 2009.
Hyypia went on to manage the Germans, as well as Brighton and Zurich.
But he is now without a club after serving as FC Haka assistant until 2020.
LB — DJIMI TRAORE
Left-back, 43, was shipped off by Liverpool just a year after Champions League win.
He spent time at numerous clubs like Charlton, Portsmouth and Birmingham before eventually settling at Seattle Sounders.
Traore worked as No2 with the American side until 2021, and he is currently a coach for the Right To Dream Academy in Ghana.
RM — LUIS GARCIA
Silky Spaniard, 44, already had a reputation before joining Liverpool after time at Atletico Madrid and Barcelona.
He returned to Atleti after leaving Liverpool in 2007 and retired nine years later with Australian side Central Coast Mariners.
Garcia did not move into coaching but occasionally works as an analyst for ESPN.
CM — XABI ALONSO
Playmaker, 41, scored third against Milan before going from strength to strength after Liverpool with Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
He added another Champions League and four league titles to his collection, as well as two Euros and a World Cup with Spain.
And Alonso, previously linked with Tottenham, is now coaching at the highest level after taking charge at Bayer Leverkusen in October.
CM — STEVEN GERRARD
Legendary midfielder, 43, scored first against Milan and remained a Liverpool man until 2015 before retiring at LA Galaxy.
He went into management, winning the Scottish title with Rangers before joining Aston Villa.
Gerrard was sacked by the Midlands club in October and SunSport understands he is now in contention for the Leeds job.
LM — JOHN ARNE RIISE
Norwegian wide-man, 42, played up until 2017 after further spells with Roma and Fulham.
He moved into management with Flint Tonsberg in 2019.
And Riise is now in charge of women’s football team Avaldsnes in Norway.
AM — HARRY KEWELL
Aussie forward, 44, was injured 23 minutes into final and went on to play for Galatasaray and Melbourne Victory.
Went into management with Crawley Town before spells at Notts County, Oldham and Barnet.
Is now a coach at Celtic and could follow compatriot Ange Postecoglu to Tottenham.
ST — MILAN BAROS
Striker, 41, left Liverpool immediately after triumph before spells at Lyon, Portsmouth and Galatasaray.
Baros then went through six clubs in as many years, taking him from the Czech Republic to Turkey.
And incredibly, he is still playing at amateur level for minnows FK Vigantice.
FIRST SUB — VLADIMIR SMICER (23’)
The first sub in Istanbul, 50-year-old Smicer scored Liverpool’s second against Milan.
He went on to play for Bordeaux and Slavia Prague before retiring in 2009.
Smicer, now a Uefa ambassador, then tried coaching before unsuccessfully standing for European Parliament for Czech party VIZE in 2014.
SECOND SUB — DIDI HAMANN (46’)
Subbed on at half-time in final for Finnan, 49-year-old Hamann left Liverpool for Man City before ending career in 2011 with MK Dons.
He coached the minnows and Leicester before a brief spell as Stockport boss.
Hamann is now a pundit and famously clashed with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp earlier this season.
THIRD SUB — DJIBRIL CISSE (85’)
Coming on for Baros in Istanbul, 41-year-old Cisse played for likes of Marseille and Sunderland after leaving Liverpool in 2007.
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He now plays in Gerard Pique’s Kings League for Los Troncos FC and is a part-time model.
Cisse also enjoyed TV appearances in France, featuring on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ and ‘Mask Singer’.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
