On The Ball | The Miracle of Istanbul 15 years on: a day that changed Liverpool supporters and the club forever
- Liverpool’s extraordinary comeback win in the 2005 Uefa Champions League final changed the club forever
- The win ensured that the following two times Liverpool reached the showpiece European final, demand for tickets far outstripped supply
At Anfield the tradition was never to bask in the team’s achievements. The next trophy was always the most important during Liverpool’s glory years. The previous piece of silverware was consigned to history almost as soon as the celebratory hangovers had cleared.
This sort of attitude can only exist in an environment where there are real expectations of success. Jurgen Klopp has revived this mindset. Winning the Champions League in Madrid last summer was not enough for the 52-year-old and his team. Their attention immediately switched to bringing the Premier League title to Merseyside.
The events of the night are worth recapping. Rafa Benitez’s team were heavily outgunned by the Italian side in terms of talent. This was apparent in a first half where Milan flew to a 3-0 lead and it looked like humiliation was on the cards for the Premier League side.
At half-time, Liverpool supporters put on a show of defiance. They sang You’ll Never Walk Alone with unbowed passion. There was little prospect of redemption for the team but in the stands the demonstration of faith was touching.
