Red-letter day for 'Pool heroes

NO wonder Liverpool walk on with hope in their hearts. For Rafa Benitez's side completed the most remarkable comeback in the history of European finals to write a glorious new chapter in the club's already rich history.

Carried on the back of Steven Gerrard, their inspirational and defiant captain, Liverpool somehow recovered from a 3-0 half-time deficit with three incredible goals in six breathtaking minutes. It was simply unbelievable.

But they were not finished there, with Jerzy Dudek producing two amazing late saves in extra-time before denying both Andrea Pirlo and Andriy Shevchenko amid the drama of a penalty shoot-out.

In 1984, they had last won the European Cup on penalties, with Bruce Grobbelaar's wobbly knees and Alan Kennedy's decisive strike.

This time, it was penalties again and Dudek dancing his way to hero status on the line, but that did not even tell half the story of a truly unforgettable night in Istanbul.

Liverpool had seemed down and out after Paolo Maldini's first-minute strike was followed by two goals by on-loan Chelsea striker Hernan Crespo.

However, downhearted fans had not reckoned on a tactical half-time masterstroke by Benitez, the talismanic qualities of Gerrard or the reactions of the often-doubted Dudek.

Given licence to push forward by Dietmar Hamannn's arrival, Gerrard headed his side's first goal on 54 minutes to restore belief and won the penalty for Xabi Alonso's third goal six minutes later.

With Vladimir Smicer having scored in between, Liverpool were now level and with Serginho missing from the spot, and Shevchenko and Pirlo both denied, Liverpool's players danced with unrestrained joy.

It eclipsed even Manchester United's dramatic late comeback against Bayern Munich, a feat few had imagined possible.

Having confounded the odds to beat Juventus and Chelsea, a Liverpool side that had finished just fifth in the Premiership defied their underdog status once again.

It had all started so differently.

Benitez may have made the bold move of starting with Harry Kewell, but his side were behind after 52 seconds as the anticipated chess match between two supposedly cautious sides was turned on its head. Pirlo's free-kick was met with a volley by Maldini, which struck the turf but still flew past Dudek.

Liverpool were stunned and struggled to recover their poise, with Kewell limping off injured amid jeers to be replaced by Smicer.

Still Milan pressed, with Garcia clearing off the line and Shevchenko harshly denied when his 'goal' was ruled offside. Liverpool were also foiled as Garcia turned inside Alessandro Nesta, who looked to have handled the ball, but referee Manuel Gonzalez waved play on.

Within seconds, Milan had scored, with the superb Kaka sending Shevchenko hurtling down the right channel and his cutback teed up Crespo to tap home from close range.

It was a harsh blow, but Milan's class was evident as Kaka played a pass of such exquisite perfection that Jamie Carragher was left stretching in vain as Crespo burst through to score.

It seemed all over.

But Benitez shifted his side around to near-magical effect at the break. With Hamann on for Steve Finnan and three changes in a defence that effectively now became a back three.

Liverpool had an ace up their sleeve in their irreplaceable captain. From Riise's cross, Gerrard looped a header past Dida.

The doubts were blown away when Smicer let fly from 25 yards out and Dida allowed the ball to slip through his grasp inside the far post.

Gerrard somehow forced his body forward onto Smicer's pass and was clipped on the back of his heels by Gennaro Gattuso. Penalty. Up stepped Alonso, who smashed his follow-up effort into the roof of the net.

And so to extra-time, with Djibril Cisse by now on for Baros and Gerrard now effectively at right wing-back as Benitez countered the introduction of winger Serginho.

Liverpool were hanging on, but Dudek rescued his side with two amazing reaction saves from Shevchenko at point-blank range to force penalties. Liverpool had hardly practised spot-kicks but neither, it seemed, had Serginho, who blazed the first effort way over the bar.

Hamann was rather more reliable before Dudek denied Pirlo but while Jon Dahl Tomasson scored, Riise's effort was saved by Dida. Smicer nevertheless struck a superb penalty, setting up Dudek to crown a night of unbelievable drama in Istanbul.

After a 21-year absence, Liverpool are back at the pinnacle of European football. Surely UEFA cannot stop them defending a trophy won with this much drama and determination?

AC MILAN: Dida, Cafu, Maldini, Stam, Nesta, Gattuso (Rui Costa 112), Seedorf (Serginho 86), Pirlo, Kaka, Shevchenko, Crespo (Tomasson 85).

LIVERPOOL: Dudek, Finnan (Hamann 46), Traore, Hyypia, Carragher, Riise, Gerrard, Luis Garcia, Alonso, Kewell (Smicer 23), Baros (Cisse 85).

Referee: Manuel Enrique, Mejuto Gonzalez.