Istanbul 2005
Follow Liverpool and AC Milan from kick-off through the half-time change, the comeback and the final’s resolution. Pause to examine the teams, roles and evidence at each moment.
2004–2010
Rafael Benítez
Istanbul in his first season, the FA Cup in his second. Benítez made Liverpool a formidable European side and later mounted a serious league challenge.
Liverpool recovered from 3–0 down against Milan to win the 2005 Champions League on penalties. Another final followed in 2007. Gerrard and Torres then powered a title challenge that ended with second place in 2008–09.
Major honours
- Champions League
- Won 12005
- FA Cup
- Won 12006
- UEFA Super Cup
- Won 12005
Key players
- Steven Gerrard
- Jamie Carragher
- Xabi Alonso
- Fernando Torres
- Pepe Reina
Interactive History
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Original writing · Denny Regan
Related articles
26 September 2009
Torres and Babel lead Liverpool’s six-goal win over Hull
Fernando Torres scored a hat-trick before his replacement Ryan Babel added two late goals as Liverpool beat Hull City 6–1 at Anfield.
20 September 2006
Alonso strikes from his own half to seal Liverpool’s win
Dirk Kuyt scored his first Liverpool goal before Xabi Alonso struck from inside his own half to seal a 2–0 win over Newcastle at Anfield.
15 September 2004
Cissé and Baroš give Liverpool a winning start against Monaco
Djibril Cissé opened the scoring and Milan Baroš settled the match late on as Liverpool beat the previous season’s Champions League finalists 2–0.
More writing from this era
25 September 2007
Torres’ first Liverpool hat-trick defeats Reading
Reading equalised twice at the Madejski Stadium, but Fernando Torres scored three second-half goals to send Liverpool into the League Cup’s last 16.
Sources & historical notes
Facts checked 7 September 2026. Key players are an editorial selection.
Major honours include the top-flight league, FA Cup, League Cup, European Cup / Champions League, UEFA Cup, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup. Promotion and the Football League Super Cup are noted separately; Charity/Community Shields are excluded.
- Liverpool FC · Rafael Benítez Confidence: high. Managerial years, era overview and honours.
- LFChistory · Rafael Benítez Confidence: high. Appointment, departure and historical context.
- Liverpool FC · honours Confidence: high. Competition winners and seasons; counts exclude Charity/Community Shields from major honours.
- LFC: the March 2006 Merseyside derby Confidence: high. Alonso and Reina in Benítez’s team.