On the 10th anniversary of Istanbul, and Liverpool’s fifth European Cup triumph, the likes of Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Jerzy Dudek will be dominating the headlines, and rightly so. The exploits of the men that took the field a decade ago, and stunned the might of AC Milan, will be remembered forever, but I’m going to look back at a slightly different angle.
That fairytale night at the Ataturk is the stuff of legend, but without the many results beforehand, it would have never happened.
Here, I’m going to take a look at some of the ‘unlikely lads’ that aren’t regarded in the same esteem as Gerrard and co, but were just as important in the run-up to our 2005 victory.
The ‘Keepers
Jerzy Dudek’s performance in the shootout brings a tear to the eye to this day. Channelling Grobbellar in ’84, the Pole brought Milan’s frightening attack to their knees in just a few short minutes. Even Andriy Shevchenko, arguably Europe’s best frontman at the time, was transfixed by the ‘spaghetti legs’ routine.
However, Dudek was not the only goalkeeper to stand between the sticks during the 2004-05 European campaign. In fact, another two players had that honour.
During that season, Liverpool had two goalkeepers that, at one time or another, were tipped to become England’s first choice – although neither ever rose to that level.
Chris Kirkland, a veteran of the English game, currently plying his trade at Sheffield Wednesday, has a Champions League medal for his four performances during the group stages. Had it not been for injury, he may have played throughout the competition.
Most famously, Kirkland was in goal for the game that has almost become as famous as Istanbul itself in Anfield folklore. The former Wigan and Leicester man was charged with the task of defending the Kop goal from the attack of Olympiacos.
Although one slipped through (thanks to the genius of Rivaldo), Kirkland held firm and made the task manageable for the Reds.
Stevie did the rest.
Scott Carson only made four appearances for the Reds, but one of those was arguably the biggest of his entire career.
The quarter – final home leg against Italian giants Juventus is widely recognised for Luis Garcia’s outrageous volley at the Anfield Road end. However, Carson will remember it as the evening he was asked to keep out the likes of Alessandro Del Piero and Pavel Nedved, in their primes. Needless to say, he did a fine job.
Neil Mellor
Unfortunately, Mellor was very much a one – season wonder at Anfield. But what a season it was!
His entry into the Olympiacos fray was nothing short of extraordinary. Benitez threw the local lad on to try and grab a much needed goal against the Greek outfit. Not only did he provide the goal, but he set up one of the most talked – about strikes in Liverpool history with what truly was a ‘lovely cushioned header…’
Djimi Traore
Hear me out.
Traore did, of course, play in Istanbul. But, let’s face it, he was often deemed the laughing stock of that side and has rarely picked up the plaudits he probably deserves.
Granted, his hilarious own goal at Burnley earlier that year (and a few other questionable displays) didn’t help his cause.
But, at the end of the day, the man has a Champions League medal. I highly doubt he cares!
In 2005, Traore was put up against the very best wingers that Europe had to offer, and he lived to tell the remarkable tale. He doesn’t have the pedigree of Carragher and Hyypia, but he was still a key member of the Liverpool defence that stunned the world – and that should never be ignored.
Besides, if he hadn’t have committed the foul that led to Maldini’s opening goal, Milan may not have been leading 3-0 at the break. That would have made for a far less exciting story!
