ISTANBUL - Liverpool won the Champions League here on Wednesday after beating AC Milan 3-2 in a penalty shoot-out after the match finished 3-3 after extra-time.
It is the fifth time that Liverpool have been crowned European champions - the last time was in 1984 when they beat AS Roma, also on penalties, and 20 years on from their last final against Juventus when 39 people were killed at the Heysel Stadium tragedy.
Liverpool staged a remarkable fightback to force the final into extra-time as they scored three second-half goals - after trailing 3-0 at half-time - through Steven Gerrard, Vladimir Smicer and Xabi Alonso.
A goal inside a minute by veteran Paolo Maldini and a double by Hernan Crespo a few minutes before half time gave Milan a huge advantage.
Liverpool, having been European champions five times, now have the privilege of keeping the Champions League trophy.
Liverpool factfile
Name: Liverpool FC (ENG)
Founded: 1892
Manager: Rafael Benitez (ESP, 1st season)
English Premiership 2004-2005: 5th
Stadium: Anfield (45,362 capacity)
Colours: red
Honours:
English championship: 18 (1901, 1906, 1922, 1923, 1947, 1964, 1966, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1990) - an English record FA Cup: 6 (1965, 1974, 1986, 1989, 1992, 2001)
English League Cup: 7 (1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1995, 2001, 2003)
European honours:
European Cups: 5 (1977, 1978, 1981, 1984, 2005)
UEFA Cups: 3 (1973, 1976, 2001)
European Supercup: 2 (1977, 2001)