Liverpool didn't stand a chance, Ancelottis Milan with Maldini, Pirlo, Kaká and Edin Džeko's childhood idol Shevchenko were heavy favorites. Under first-season manager Rafa Benitez, Liverpool finished 5th in the league and roughly 40,000 Scousers travelled to Istanbul, mostly hoping to just avoid Humiliation. And the first half was looking likely to be just that, with the legendary Maldini scoring from Pirlos free kick, after just 50 seconds. Following Kewell's injury and Crespo's brace set up by 04 & 07 Ballon D'or winners Shevchenko and Kaká, reds were down 3-0 going into half time. Liverpool didn't give up though, the fans sung YNWA so loudly during half time that the players report hearing it in the dressing rooms. And then in the second half came the six-minute spell. Norwegian Riise crossed to the captain Gerrard who scored a stunning Header. Šmicer smashed a long-range shot into the bottom right corner. Stadium was so loud I could barely hear the commentators. Some tackles maybe good, some tackles maybe shit and 2026 World Cup play off loser Gattuso fouls Gerrard in the box, with Carragher appealing for a red but not a soul on earth could understand him. The young Xabi, mogging me through the screen, steps up to equalize for LFC. He shoots a shit pen but then scores the rebound. 3-3. Just like that Arsenal Calcio Milan bottles their lead. Some good defending from Carragher, wasted chances from Tomasson, a great double save from Dudek, but nothing crazy, with the exception of Cissé's majestic hair and beard. Serginho steps up for Milan to start the Shootout. He blazes it over Gabriel-esque and Hamman scores. Dudek saved Pirlos shot, Big Cissé made it 2-0. Kaká ignored Dudeks weird mating dance and converted, Šmicer made it 3-2. Then Shevchenko, who scored the winning pen in Milans 2003 Final, gets his pen saved and scousers rejoice. LFCs 5th European Cup, 21 years after their last and now 21 years since this Turkish Delight. I want a juicy Kebab now ffs.