Liverpool's 2005 Champions League winners - Where are they now?
by James Cox15 years ago today, Liverpool pulled off one of the most sensational comebacks of all time as they came back from 3-0 down at half-time to beat AC Milan on penalties and claim their fifth European Cup.
To mark the occasion, we decided to have a look at the starting 11 from that famous night and where they are now.
Goalkeeper- Jerzy Dudek
Dudek will go down in history as a Liverpool legend for his heroics that night.
It looked like it would be a night to forget for the Pole and his teammates as they trailed 3-0 at half time, but there wasn't much he could do about any of Milan's goals.
it could have been all over after extra-time, but a miracle double save from Dudek kept Andriy Shevchenko out.
In a UEFA poll Dudek's double stop was voted as the best Champions League moment of all time, even ahead of Zinedine Zidane's iconic volleyed winner for Real Madrid in the 2002 final.
The following season Dudek lost his place to Spaniard Pepe Reina, and after a falling out with Rafael Benitez he left the club for Real Madrid in 2007.
In four years at Real he was limited to two appearances as he found himself behind Iker Casillas, however he was commended for his professionalism in training and taking the role of second keeper seriously.
In 2012 Dudek played a crucial role as an ambassador along with his cup final opponent Shevchenko in securing the Euros for Poland and Ukraine.
Right back- Steve Finnan
Like the whole team, our very own Steve Finnan struggled in the first-half, but as always he gave 100%.
Sadly, he was replaced by Dietmar Hamann (who scored one of the penalties) just after half time after suffering a thigh injury.
It didn't stop him celebrating the stunning win afterwards, and rightly so after joining the elusive group of Irish players to win a Champions League medal.
He ended his association with Liverpool in 2008 to move to Barcelona, albeit with the city's slight less famous team Espanyol.
Finnan's spell in Spain was seriously hampered by injuries and he ended up returning to the Premier League with Portsmouth in 2009.
He spent a season with the South Coast outfit and his last appearance came in the 2010 FA Cup final loss to Chelsea.
After retirement Finnan spent some time doing charity work in The Gambia, he now works in property development in London.
Centre back- Jamie Carragher
Carragher made two crucial last ditch tackles late on in extra-time despite suffering from cramp.
He went on to win an FA Cup and a League Cup before retiring as a club legend in 2013 with 508 appearences.
He scored only five goals in his career and came agonisingly close to a cracker in his final game hitting QPR's post with a great effort from 30 yards out.
Since retirement he has become heavily involved in charity work along with his role as a pundit on Sky Sports.
He has surprised a lot of people with his articulate analysis of the game, and his exchanges with ex-Manchester United man Gary Neville have won the pair plenty of viewers.
Carragher was briefly suspended after the now infamous spitting incident but he's since made a successful return to punditry following a public apology.
Centre back- Sami Hyypia
The defence had an uncharacteristically poor peformance in the first-half, but Hyypia was essential in keeping AC Milan out for the remaining 75 minutes.
He joined Bayer Leverkusen in 2009 and went into coaching with the club straight after his playing retirement in 2011.
He has struggled as a coach though and his reign in charge of Leverkuson as manager went unsuccessfully as well as short spells with Brighton and FC Zurich.
Left back- Djimi Traore
Traore became a bit of a cult figure often at the butt of jokes for his tendency for dodgy performances, however he can always point to his Champions League medal and he played an important part in the final.
He conceded the free-kick that led to Paolo Maldini's opener, however he more than made up for it with an extra-time clearence off the line from a Shevchenko effort.
He left Liverpool in 2006 and became a bit of a nomad representing Lens, Charlton Athletic, Portsmouth, Rennes, Birmingham City, Monaco and Marseille before retiring in the MLS with Seattle Sounders in 2014.
Right midfield- Luis Garcia
The Spaniard's infamous semi-final 'ghost goal' put Liverpool through to the final and he also scored the winner against Juventus.
He wasn't directly involved in any of the goals in the final but provided a threatening attacking presence in Liverpool's comeback.
He left the club as another cult hero in 2007 to return to Spain with Atletico Madrid.
He's also enjoyed a nomadic playing career since then with spells in Mexico and India, at 37 he played for Central Coast Mariners in Australia this season.
Garcia now works as a club ambassador.
Centre midfield- Xabi Alonso
With Liverpool 3-2 down Alonso stepped up to take the decisive penalty after Steven Gerrard was brought down in the box by Gennaro Gattuso.
His effort was initially blocked by Dida but he made no mistake with the rebound firing it into the roof of the net.
Liverpool fans were heartbroken when Alonso left for Real Madrid in 2009, during a five year spell with Real Alonso solidified his status as one of the best midfielders in the world and also won another Champions League.
Alonso is currently the manager of Real Sociedad's B team, the side competes in the Spanish second division.
Centre midfield- Steven Gerrard
This was probably the finest performance of Gerrard's stellar career.
The captain was the catalyst for Liverpool's comeback, his header provided a lifeline for Liverpool and his battling performance inspired his teammates.
Towards the end of extra-time Gerrard seemed to be everywhere, even covering at left-back at one stage.
He scored 120 goals in 504 appearances for the club before leaving for LA Galaxy in 2015.
After his playing retirement, Gerrard made the transition to coaching as an academy coach at Melwood.
He took over as Rangers manager in 2018.
Left midfield- John Arne Riise
The Norwegian who was known for his thunderous left foot played a crucial role in the final.
His cross set up Gerrard for Liverpool's first goal, and he was forgiven for his miss in the shootout.
He left Liverpool for Roma in 2008 and retired at Indian Super League side Chennaiyan in 2016.
Second striker- Harry Kewell
Kewell was a controversial selection from Benitez, signalling his attacking intent.
It backfired as Kewell was substituted early on, his difficult relationship with the fans was evident as he was booed off, some even suggesting he faked the injury.
He left in 2008 to join Turkish side Galatasaray and retired in his native Australia in 2014, Melbourne Heat were his last club.
Kewell's last job in football was as head coach of League Two side Crawley Town, his spell with the club came to an end in 2018.
Centre forward- Milan Baros
Like many of the Liverpool players this was definitely the highlight of Baros' career, he left for Aston Villa in 2005 and went on to play for a long list of clubs.
At 38, Baros is still playing for Banik Ostrava in his native Czech Republic.