Liverpool return to Istanbul nearly a decade after their Champions League heroics.
Tonight’s Europa League game against Besiktas will mark Liverpool’s first return to the Ataturk Stadium for the first time since they came back from 3-0 down, to win the 2005 Champions League final on penalties against AC Milan.
With a narrow lead this time around, Brendan Rodgers’s side may need to channel the strength of that second-half performance nearly a decade ago, but where are the heroes of Istanbul now?
GK- Jerzy Dudek
The Polish keeper made himself a hero with an incredible – if slightly fortunate – save in extra time from Andriy Shevchenko, before making two saves in the shootout, including the decisive one, once again from Shevchenko. He moved to Real Madrid in 2007, but was used sparingly before retiring in 2011.
RB- Steve Finnan
Finnan played the first half of the game, so may not remember the game so fondly. Like Dudek, he left Anfield for Spain, moving to Espanyol in 2008. One season later, he was back in England with Portsmouth, but retired after just one year at Fratton Park.
CB- Jamie Carragher
The centre-back had a torrid time against Hernan Crespo on the night, but he retired a Liverpool legend in 2013, making over 750 appearances for the club. Now, Carragher is one of Sky’s leading pundits.
CB- Sami Hyypia
The Finn spent over a decade at Anfield, before leaving for Bayer Leverkusen in 2009. He took over as the German club’s new manager in 2012, but was sacked after two years. He was last seen as Championship club Brighton’s manager, but was only in charge for 26 games.
LB- Djimi Traore
Traore is something of a cult legend, having scored one the greatest own goals of all time, in the FA Cup against Burnley. He played for a variety of clubs upon leaving Liverpool in 2006, including Charlton Athletic, Portsmouth and Marseille. He left his last club, Seattle Sounders in 2014.
DM- Xabi Alonso
Alonso scored the goal that brought the game level in Istanbul, but only after missing a penalty. He left for Real Madrid in 2009, before joining Bayern Munich in 2014. The 33-year-old is still a regular member of the Pep Guardiola’s side.
RM- Luis Garcia
The Spanish winger scored the contentious goal that sent Liverpool into the final. He missed out on the 2007 final through injury, and left that summer for Atletico Madrid. He joined the Indian Super League in 2014, signing up for Atletico de Kolkata.
CM- Steven Gerrard
The Liverpool captain is the last survivor at the club from that night. He scored the goal that gave the Reds a glimmer of hope, early in the second half. Gerrard will be leaving Anfield to join MLS club, LA Galaxy in the summer.
LM- John Arne Riise
The Norweigan was the only Liverpool to miss in the shootout. He left the club in 2008 after over 200 appearances for the club. He spent three seasons at both Roma and Fulham, and left Craven Cottage following relegation. He now plays for Cypriot side, APOEL.
AM- Harry Kewell
Kewell didn’t enjoy the happiest spell at Anfield, as he spent most of his time on the injury table. He played just 23 minutes of the final, before another injury ended his involvement. He played for a few clubs, including Galatasaray after leaving Liverpool, before finishing his career back in his native Australia.
ST- Milan Baros
After leaving Liverpool, Baros joined Aston Villa in 2005 for £6.5m. He also had a brief – and goalless – loan spell with Portsmouth in 2008. The Czech striker currently plays in his home nation for Banik Ostrava.
Subs
Vladimir Smicer
Smicer was Kewell’s replacement in the final, so the Aussie’s injury may have been a blessing as Smicer scored Liverpool’s second goal and the penalty to put Rafa Benitez’s side 3-2 up, before Shevchenko’s crucial miss. He played for Bordeaux, before returning to his first club, Slavia Prague in 2007. He retired in 2009.
Dietmar Hamann
Hamann scored the first penalty of the shootout, having only come on at half time. He left the club in 2006, joining Bolton for one day, before signing with Manchester City. He enjoyed a decent spell at the Etihad, and finished his career with a short stint at MK Dons. In 2011, he was appointed Stockport County’s manager, but was sacked that same year.
Djibril Cisse
Like his fellow substitutes, Cisse scored in the shootout. The 33-year-old has played in France, Greece, Italy, Russia and Qatar since leaving Anfield. He has returned to the Premier League with Sunderland and QPR, but is now playing back in France for Bastia.