Liverpool fans still celebrate their 2019 Champions League win over Tottenham, but it pales in comparison to the legendary 2005 comeback against AC Milan in Istanbul. Led by Rafa Benitez, Liverpool faced one of the greatest club sides in European history, with a formidable backline of Dida, Cafu, Jaap Stam, Alessandro Nesta, and Paolo Maldini, as well as a midfield four of Andrea Pirlo, Andrea Gattuso, Clarence Seedorf, and Kaka. Milan stormed into a 3-0 lead at half-time, but Liverpool produced the greatest comeback in football history to level the score at 3-3 by the 61st minute. The two sides played out extra time before going to penalties, with Liverpool emerging victorious.
So, what happened to the stars who brought European glory to Merseyside? Polish goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek saved two penalties in the shootout and is now a Uefa ambassador promoting the Champions League. Irish defender Steve Finnan played for Espanyol and Portsmouth after leaving Anfield and moved into business ventures, setting up a property development company in London. Finnish favourite Sami Hyypia finished his career at Bayer Leverkusen after leaving Anfield in 2009 and went on to manage the Germans, as well as Brighton and Zurich. Left-back Djimi Traore was shipped off by Liverpool just a year after the Champions League win and spent time at numerous clubs like Charlton, Portsmouth, and Birmingham before eventually settling at Seattle Sounders.
Silky Spaniard Luis Garcia returned to Atletico Madrid after leaving Liverpool in 2007 and retired nine years later with Australian side Central Coast Mariners. Playmaker Xabi Alonso 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. Alonso is now coaching at the highest level after taking charge at Bayer Leverkusen in October. Legendary midfielder Steven Gerrard 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 is now in contention for the Leeds job.
Norwegian wide-man John Arne Riise played up until 2017 after further spells with Roma and Fulham. He moved into management with Flint Tonsberg in 2019 and is now in charge of women’s football team Avaldsnes in Norway. Aussie forward Harry Kewell was injured 23 minutes into the final and went on to play for Galatasaray and Melbourne Victory. He went into management with Crawley Town before spells at Notts County, Oldham, and Barnet. Kewell is now a coach at Celtic and could follow compatriot Ange Postecoglu to Tottenham. Striker Milan Baros left Liverpool immediately after the triumph before spells at Lyon, Portsmouth, and Galatasaray. He then went through six clubs in as many years, taking him from the Czech Republic to Turkey. Incredibly, he is still playing at amateur level for minnows FK Vigantice.