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THE EUROPEAN CUP FINALS



  • In 1981 , the club were again crowned champions of Europe in Paris when they beat Real Madrid 1-0, their third success under the management of Bob Paisley.


  • Three years later, Liverpool again reached the final and claimed victory over AS Roma in 1984 in a penalty shootout with a scoreline of 1-1 after Extra Time . Liverpool won 4-2 on penalties.


  • Liverpool's loss to Juventus (1-0) during the final on May 29 , 1985 at Heysel Stadium , Brussels would become one of the darkest periods in the two clubs' histories. The entire affair was eclipsed by the Heysel Tragedy when 39 people tragically lost their lives upon being trampled or crushed in a Stampede . Despite the enormity of the situation, the match was made to go on and Platini scored the winner for his club via a Penalty . As a direct result of the disaster, The Football League banned Liverpool from all European competitions for ten years and all other English clubs for five (at the time, shows of Hooliganism were widespread and it is said that this played a big part in the League's ruling). Liverpool's castigation would later be reduced to six years. The absence of any English club at the competition also effectively removed the long-standing English dominance over the European stage. After the final, Joe Fagan decided to Retire and left the club's management to lead Forward , Kenny Dalglish . The two clubs would meet again for the first time in nearly 20 years when they were drawn together for the quarter-finals of the 2004/05 Champions' League season in Nyon , Switzerland . Though both sides took the opportunity to make public expressions of forgiveness and reconciliation, both legs were marred by some Anti-social Behaviour .


  • Liverpool were left barren for a period of 21 years before winning the 2005 European Cup in the final against AC Milan in Istanbul , Turkey . Some have even claimed it to be "one of the greatest comebacks in football history". 3-0 down at half-time, the Reds would equalise and win the Cup this time again on penalties (3-2). Jerzy Dudek 's heroics during the penalty shootout were said by him to be inspired by Bruce Grobbelaar 's own eccentric ways during the '84 shootout. New Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez also made history as the first manager to win the UEFA Cup and the Champions League in consecutive years with two different clubs.



The Champions League Final 2004-05

Due to the undying Underdog spirit displayed, the UEFA Champions League Final against AC Milan is regarded as the greatest footballing comeback of all time. Diego Maradona later stated that the great Brazil Team of 1970 would not have been able to achieve the same feat. Only 52 seconds into the match, Paolo Maldini scored for Milan, both scoring the fastest goal and becoming the oldest player to score in a Champions League final. Liverpool's play in the first half both in attack and defence was remarkably poor. In the 39th minute, Alessandro Nesta seemed to have his hand touch the ball in the penalty box but the referee refused a penalty. Within a minute, a Milan counter-attack found Andriy Shevchenko with space on the right wing who crossed the ball in for Hernán Crespo to finish first time. 2-0 Milan. 5 minutes later, Gerrard was turned in midfield and a wonderful through-ball from Kaká found Crespo clear on goal who provided an exquisite finish and Milan's third goal. At half-time the score was 3-0, and even the most optimistic Liverpool supporter probably thought the match was over. At 3-0 down, Bookmaker odds were available at 100-1.

A half-time substitution of Dietmar Hamann for Steve Finnan brought solidity to Liverpool's midfield, and provided added protection for the back four.

A string of quick passing allowed John Arne Riise two chances to cross the ball into the box. At the second attempt he succeeded, and his quality ball found Steven Gerrard , who brilliantly headed the ball into the far corner of the net. That goal gave Liverpool much needed confidence and hope.

Two minutes later, Hamann slipped the ball across to Vladimír Šmicer , twenty yards from goal. Šmicer struck the ball with power and precision to bury it past Dida , who will be disappointed to have not done better. 3-2 to Milan.

The Liverpool fans' powerful singing turned Istanbul into Liverpool's back yard, providing another player at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium .

Liverpool continued to dominate the game and pressure Milan, and more quick passing found Steven Gerrard running through on goal in the penalty box, but Gennaro Iván Gattuso tripped him from behind leaving the referee with no choice but to give a penalty. Xabi Alonso stepped up to take it and struck it hard into the bottom left corner. Dida pulled off a brilliant save, however the rebound from it allowed Alonso to hammer the ball into the roof of the net with his left foot, and brought Liverpool level at 3-3.

At this point the game began to settle, and both teams had chances to score and took it in turns of controlling the play. There was nothing to separate the teams as regular time finished and the game went to extra time. Milan were probably the better team in extra time, as Liverpool's players tired and were visibly drained, Vladimir Šmicer and Jamie Carragher having to receive treatment for cramp.

In the 119th minute, Milan's Andriy Shevchenko had a good header saved and then the rebounded first time volley brilliantly stopped by Jerzy Dudek 's lightning reflexes. The score remained level and the two sides entered the penalty shootout. Both sides won the last time they were involved in a penalty shootout in the European Cup/Champions League final. For Milan, it was the 2002-2003 Champions League final against Juventus and for Liverpool, it was the 1983-1984 season when they beat AS Roma to claim the cup.

The shoot-out:

  • Serginho took the first penalty for Milan but the ball ballooned way over the cross bar. Dietmar Hamann scored despite a broken foot to give Liverpool a bright head start.

  • The second round of the shootout begins. Andrea Pirlo 's shot was saved by Liverpool's goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek while Djibril Cissé finished his shot perfectly. A 2-0 lead for Liverpool.

  • At the third round, Milan finally shortened the distance. Jon Dahl Tomasson scored for Milan, while Milan goalkeeper Dida saved the shot of Liverpool's John Arne Riise . The scores were Milan 1 - Liverpool 2.

  • At the fourth round, both sides scored, courtesy of Kaká (Milan) and Šmicer (Liverpool). The scores were 2-3 with Liverpool taking the lead and only one more round to go.

  • AC Milan's Andriy Shevchenko moved forward. He had to score to give Milan a hope of victory but again, the shot was saved by Jerzy Dudek . The final scores were AC Milan 2 - Liverpool 3 which ended Liverpool's 21 years wait for an European title. Ironically, Shevchenko is the man who scored the winning penalty in the 2002-2003 final against Juventus . In that penalty shootout, Milan also won by 3-2.


By winning the European Cup/Champions League a fifth time, Liverpool earned the privilege of permanently keeping the actual trophy. Under the competition rules, the winning club gets to keep the trophy for only 10 months, as they must deliver it to UEFA two months before the next year's final, and permanently receives a scaled-down replica. However, the rules also specify that the actual trophy becomes the permanent possession of a club that wins the competition three consecutive years or five times in all. The 2005-06 participants will compete for a new trophy.


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