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On This Day In 2005: 'The Miracle Of Istanbul' Happened

On This Day In 2005: 'The Miracle Of Istanbul' Happened

A final like no other.

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare

Liverpool will play in their second consecutive Champions League final next week when they face Spurs at the Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid.

The Reds have reached more European Cup finals than Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United combined, but perhaps their biggest win to date happened on 'that' historic night in Istanbul.

When two goals from Hernan Crespo and a rare finish from Paolo Maldini put Milan 3-0 ahead at half-time, many thought that it was game, set and match.

But as we all know, Steven Gerrard's bullet header clawed the scoreline to 3-1 and six minutes later, the game was tied when Vladimír Šmicer and Xabi Alonso sent Liverpool fans into a frenzy.

The miracle of Istanbul was complete when Rafael Benitez's side won on penalties. It was a day like no other.

Liverpool fans will be hoping history repeats itself, while ending a rotten streak in finals for Jurgen Klopp in the process.

The Reds' boss has lost his last six finals as a manager - most recently the 2018 Champions League final to Los Blancos, but with the way his team have been playing of late, Mohamed Salah and co. could be crowned champions of Europe next week.

It may surprise you to learn that only one player from the 2005 Champions League final is still playing to this very day.

You probably thought he had hung up his boots by now but Milan Baros, who played 85 minutes of the game, is still playing.

The 36-year old, who scored 41 goals in 93 matches for his country and was the Euro 2004 Golden Boot winner, plays for Baník Ostrava.

Who will win the 2019 Champions League final - Liverpool or Tottenham?

Let us know in the comments.

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Topics: Liverpool, SPORT, Football News, Football, AC Milan, champions league final, Soccer