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I thought I would do this for fun. It should be a good, fun, interesting read for other Liverpool supporters.

On May 25, 2005, Two European football club giants met in the most memorable Champions League Final of all time.

AC Milan was led by the Italian maestro Andrea Pirlo. Pirlo, a world-class talent himself had the pleasure of supplying service to a deadly attacking trio of Andriy Shevchenko, Hernan Crespo, and Kaka. Behind Pirlo, stood a world-class defensive unit led by Italian and AC Milan stalwart/hero Paolo Maldini. Maldini's defensive unit was a "who's who" of world class defenders containing the likes of Cafu, Jaap Stam, and Alessandro Nesta. And to top it all off, Milan finished their first XI with two quality international players, Gennaro Gattuso and Clarence Seedorf. Finally, in net, there was Brazil's World Cup winning keeper, Dida.

Liverpool was led by Captain Steven Gerrard. The inspirational scouser along with fellow defender, scouser Jamie Carragher, was the heart and soul of a slightly patchwork team. Manager Rafael Benitez was in his first year, and was still trying to mold Liverpool FC into his own team. Carragher was joined in defense by a mistake-prone keeper (Jerzy Dudek) and left back (Djimi Traore). Along with those two, Carragher also ordered around the ever-consistent duo of Steve Finnan and Sami Hyypia. In the midfield and attack, Gerrard was also joined by another motley crew. He was joined by the Spanish two-some of Passmaster Xabi Alonso and the inconsistent-but-brilliant Luis Garcia. Also joining him was one-footed cannon John Arne Riise, oft-injured Harry Kewell, and overrated Czech star Milan Baros.

AC Milan had the significant advantage in experience and talent, and the first half they showed it. The Milan legend Maldini opened the scoring in the first minute thanks to some shoddy defensive work. 35 minutes later, Crespo put in Milan's second. And just six minutes after that, Kaka sliced open Liverpool's defense and Crespo niftily finished off his second, Milan's 3rd of the half.

While AC Milan had the significant advantage in experience and talent, they were lacking in three key stages: heart of the players, heart of the supporters, and genius of the manager. The two teams came out to the second half to a roaring, Liverpool supporter-filled Ataturk Stadium. Nine minutes in, Steven Gerrard jumped the highest to guide in a John Arne Riise cross. Just two minutes later, first half sub Vladimir Smicer was given too much time and space. He smashed one to the corner, and even though Dida got his fingertips to it he couldn't keep it out. Then, a mere 4 minutes later, in a shaking stadium, Gerrard galloped into the Milan box and won a penalty. Alonso stepped up, had his first penalty saved, but made no mistake with the rebound.

The next 30+ minutes of regular time, and the two periods of extra time were filled with all-hands-on-deck defending led by Carragher. The highlights of that time were some great last-ditch tackles by Carragher, and a miraculous double-save on Shevchenko by Dudek. The game went into penalties, where the miracle was complete after a spaghetti-legged Dudek forced a miss and made a save before stopping Shevchenko's shot down the middle to complete the miracle.

2005 Champions League Final

2005 Champions League Final

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The Real Question Now Is...



WHERE ARE THEY NOW?!

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Jerzy Dudek
Keeper

Dudek was mistake-prone. There is no way around it, but what he did on the night of May 25, 2005 was miraculous. Some of his saves, both in regular time, extra time, and penalty kicks were amazing.

The next season, Pepe Reina arrived, and Dudek was immediately relegated to second chair. He remained at Liverpool for two more seasons, only making 12 appearances before leaving Liverpool for better first-team opportunities.

Stupidly, Dudek chose to go to Real Madrid, and is now sitting behind arguably the best keeper in the world, aka Iker Casillas. Dudek has made only 8 performances for the Spanish giants, but he has received plaudits from press, players, and coaches. His performances haven't led to a call back to the Polish national team where he sits behind Tomas Kucszak and Artur Boruc, despite recent calls by Polish supporters for his return to the Polish fold.

Most recently it has been rumored that Dudek is looking set to end his stay at Real Madrid and re-sign with his former club Feyenoord. Feyenoord, the club he played for before Liverpool, is coached by former Polish National Team Manager Leo Beenhakker. Beenhakker gave Dudek his last Polish cap.

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Steve Finnan
Right Back

Irish right back Steve Finnan was nearly an ever-present in the starting lineup at Anfield for five years. Finnan joined Liverpool Football Club from Fulham in 2003. He didn't have much of an impact on the Istanbul Final, and was substituted at halftime for midfielder Dietmar Hamann.

After the Miracle of Istanbul, Finnan continued to be an important part of Liverpool FC. He won the FA Cup with Liverpool, and started and played most of the 2007 Champions League Final loss to AC Milan. However, the next season, Finnan's age began to slow and he started losing playing time to Spaniard Alvaro Arbeloa.

In the summer of 2008, Finnan was involved in a transfer deadline-day deal which sent him to Espanyol for an undisclosed fee. Finnan signed a 2-year deal with Espanyol, but he has yet to make a real impact for the La Liga side. Finnan has only appeared 4 times for Espanyol, mainly due to injuries. Despite not having an effect, Espanyol's manager, Mane is confident that he will be an important part to the club and has tried to fend off interest from Premier League sides, most notably Arsenal, Tottenham, and Aston Villa.

Finnan left Liverpool FC because of his rise in age and his decline in fitness and pace. Liverpool brought in Phillipp Degen, and Finnan was also feeling pressure from the ever-improving Arbeloa and the youngster Stephen Darby. Finnan left on good terms, and all LFC supporters still hold the Irishman in high regard.

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Jamie Carragher
Center Back

Along with the performances of Jerzy Dudek, Scouse-born center back Jamie Carragher's performances will live in the memory of all LFC supporters who experienced the Miracle of Istanbul. While the first half may have been one to forget for the experienced center back and the entire LFC defense, the second half and extra time was a perfect example of while all LFC supporters "Dream of a Team of Carraghers". Carragher's last-ditch tackles, inspirational field generaling, and a never-say-die attitude helped lift Liverpool supporters and the club to a 5th Champions League trophy.

Carragher is one of the few players still remaining from the team that won the 2005 Champions League Final. He continues to lead by example through strong belief, hard work, and a collection of last-ditch tackles, goal-line saves, and brave aerial challenges. Despite recieving stiff competition for a spot from younger center backs Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel, Carragher continues to be one of the first names on the team sheet for Liverpool. Carragher has appeared for Liverpool 500+ times, and many supporters expect him to stay with the club in some type of role for many years to come.

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Sami Hyypia
Center Back

Sami Hyypia, the big Finnish center back, affectionally know by LFC supporters as "Big Sami" has been a big part of Liverpool for ten years. Hyypia started alongside Jamie Carragher, a common occurrence, during the 2005 Champions League Final. Much like Carragher, Hyypia battled through a poor first half to play a big part in the historic comeback.

Despite his age, Hyypia continued to be an important part of Liverpool Football Club still to this day. Just as he did against Juventus in the 2005 European campaign, Hyypia manages to pop up every once in awhile with a key goal from a set piece. He also provides great cover and experience at the back. It may be an overused statement but Hyypia is a model professional, despite being moved back to fourth choice center back behind Carragher, Daniel Agger, and Martin Skrtel.

Much like Steve Finnan, Hyypia holds a special place in Liverpool supporters hearts. When he does leave the club, through retirement or transfer, many of those connected with Liverpool will be calling for a testimonial match. I would hope that he would eventually come back to Liverpool in some kind of coaching role, because he has forgotten more about being a top-class center back than many center backs will ever learn. Ian Rush gave Hyypia the highest of praises saying, "He’s got to be up there with the best signings the club has ever made."

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Djimi Traore
Left Back

When Liverpool beat Milan on penalties in the 2005 Champions League, Djimi Traore became the first Malian to ever win a UEFA Champions League Winners Medal. Traore was incredibly inconsistent and was an all-around poor player. His positional sense was poor, his skill on the ball was limited, and his decision-making was terrible. That being said, he was in the starting lineup when Liverpool made their tremendous comeback and he made an important clearance off the goal-line as a shot was definitely headed to the back of the net.

Like many Liverpool players, Traore had a shining moment (above), but he actually had a pretty decent game. The next season, Traore was moved down the pecking order by Stephen Warnock and John Arne Riise who played more left back than the season before. Traore was solded to Charlton for around 2 million pounds. He then moved to Portsmouth before being loaned to Birmingham City.

Despite his appearance in the Champions League Final, most LFC supporters will remember the bad of Traore. This includes his disastorous own goal against Burnley.

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John Arne Riise
Left Midfielder

John Arne Riise, the fiery red-headed Norwegian, started at left midfield for Liverpool in the 2005 Champions League Final. Riise, able to play left midfield and left back, assisted the first goal by playing in a beautiful cross for a soaring Steven Gerrard. However, in penalties, Riise had his penalty saved by Milan's Dida.

Riise was a fan favorite at Liverpool, due to his demeanor and his knack for only scoring spectacular goals. His left foot was known around Europe as being an absolute cannon. After the 2005 Champions League Final, Riise continued to feature regularly for Liverpool Football Club. He continued wowing supporters with his smashing drives, but he also continued to frustrate them with his poor defending. Though he scored many great goals, his most memorable was an unfortunate own-goal that gave Chelsea the upper-leg in a Champions League tie they eventually went on to win.

Despite that goal, Liverpool supporters and players supported Riise tremendously. However, due to congestion at the left back position with Fabio Aurelio, Andrea Dossena, and Emiliano Insua all battling for the spot. Riise and the club thought it was best to move on. In the summer of 2008, Riise was sold to Roma for 4 million pounds.

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Xabi Alonso
Center Midfielder

Xabi "The Passmaster" Alonso was brought to Liverpool as one of Rafa Benitez's first buys. Alonso was a vital part in the Liverpool's 2005 Champions League Success. He, like many of the other players, struggled in the first half. However, with the introduction of Dietmar Hamann in the second half, Alonso was freed up and was able to better control the game. Alonso put away his own rebound after Dida saved his penalty for Liverpool's 3rd goal.

Alonso is one of the players still remaining with the club. Alonso is having one of his best seasons to-date, and is one of the first names on the teamsheet as Liverpool continue to push for the league title. Alonso was under pressure this summer, because after a season of mediocre performances Rafa was really pushing to bring in Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry.

While this past summer, Alonso was being shopped around, he is now off the market and continues to pull the strings and thrive in Liverpool's 4-2-3-1 formation.

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Steven Gerrard
Center Midfielder
Captain

Steven Gerrard was and still is the driving force of Liverpool Football Club.

"Captain Fantastic" truly was fantastic in the second half of the Champions League Final. He scored the first, and made the third by driving into the box forcing the Milan defenders to bring him to the turf. The Champions League Final victory was a big part of a big season for the Scouser captain. He flirted with Chelsea, and then went on to score a bucketload of goals including a smashing half-volley against Olympiakos. That goal put the club into the knockout stages. Gerrard truly carried Liverpool on his back during the 2004-2005 season.

After the Champions League Final, Gerrard was still listening to the tempting overtures from Stamford Bridge. However, in a dramatic u-turn, Gerrard signed on and pledged to stay at Liverpool until the club tells him they don't want him. To this day, Gerrard continues to lead Liverpool by word and by example. Like Alonso, Gerrard is flourishing with his position in Liverpool's 4-2-3-1 and he has created a devastating attacking force with Fernando Torres.

Simply put, Steven Gerrard is Liverpool and Liverpool is Steven Gerrard.