Liverpool have played 15 games in this season's unforgettable
European campaign and we salute Rafa and the following
players.
Jerzy Dudek: Jerzy has played in nine of the 14
games leading up to the final and has kept four clean sheets, with
two of those coming away at Juventus and Chelsea. Dudek has been
safe and steady throughout Liverpool's Champions League campaign
and has made some crucial saves along the way.
Steve Finnan: The Republic of Ireland
international has had a very consistent season and has played in 13
out of Liverpool's 14 Champions League games. Finnan started the
campaign playing right side midfield before returning to right back
where he has been outstanding.
Jamie Carragher: Liverpool's player of the season
has played in every game in the Champions League and has been a
rock solid and immense figure. He was inspirational against
Juventus and Chelsea and has enhanced his reputation in Europe this
season.
Sami Hyypia: Like Jamie Carragher Sami Hyypia has
played in every Champions League game this season. He has also been
a rock solid figure alongside Carragher and scored a memorable goal
along the way too. His volley against Juventus at Anfield was just
fantastic.
Djimi Traore: Djimi Traore has been a revelation
for Liverpool in the Champions League and has played in nine of the
14 games leading up to the final. His last ditch tackles under
pressure have been a real highlight during the matches.
Josemi: Josemi made his Liverpool debut in the
qualifier in Grazer AK and has played in seven out of the 14 games
leading up to the final. One of Josemi's best games was the 2-0 win
over Monaco at Anfield when he helped set up a goal for Milan Baros
with a long searching pass.
Steven Gerrard: The Liverpool captain gave us a
fabulous moment in the Champions League with his never to be
forgotten winner against Olympiacos at Anfield. It was such a sweet
strike and the emotion that went with it was just incredible.
Stevie G set the ball rolling for Liverpool in the Champions League
this season with two goals in the qualifier in Graz. Gerrard has
played in eight of Liverpool's 14 matches in the Champions
League.
Stephen Warnock: Before Rafael Benitez arrived at
the club Stephen Warnock was heading for the Anfield exit door, but
under Rafa he got his chance. Warnock made his Liverpool debut as
an 80th minute substitute for Steven Gerrard during the qualifier
in Graz. He then started in Olympiacos but his most memorable game
was away in Bayer Leverkusen. Fans will remember Warnock having a
storming game and throwing himself into a tackle in stoppage time
to stop the Germans scoring.
Harry Kewell: Harry has had an injury hit season
but he still made a good contribution in the Champions League. He
created a vital goal for Florent Sinama-Pongolle in the comeback of
all comeback games against Olympiacos at Anfield. Kewell played
well against Bayer Leverkusen at Anfield and won the free-kick for
John Arne Riise to make it 2-0. He also did well when coming on as
a substitute in the semi-final win over Chelsea at Anfield when he
held the ball up and kept it in the corners. Kewell has played in
11 of the 14 games leading up to the final.
Xabi Alonso: Xabi might have only played in six of
the 14 games in the Champions League leading up to the final but he
still made a significant contribution. His performance in Juventus
when he had just returned from injury was magnificent. Alonso also
played a key role in the 3-1 win over Olympiacos at Anfield.
Dietmar Hamann: Didi returned from injury to
produce a magnificent performance in the semi-final win over
Chelsea at Anfield. He has played in nine of the 14 games leading
up to the final and scored a vital goal with a superb free-kick at
the Kop end against Bayer Leverkusen.
John Arne Riise: John has played in every game
leading up to the final and has had an outstanding campaign showing
great versatility and bundles of energy down the left flank. Riise
also scored a fantastic free-kick in the win against Bayer
Leverkusen at Anfield.
Luis Garcia: Luis Garcia has had a magnificent
Champions League campaign for Liverpool and scored five great
goals. Luis got the vital goal in the semi-final against Chelsea
and how about his simply sensational goal against Juventus at
Anfield that gave the world's most expensive keeper in Buffon
absolutely no chance. Garcia also played a massive part in the win
over Bayer Leverkusen when he scored in the first game at Anfield
then he added another two over in Germany. Leading up to the final
Luis Garcia played in 11 of the 14 Champions League matches.
Neil Mellor: Although Neil Mellor only featured in
two Champions League games because of injury he made a massive
contribution. With Liverpool needing to scored two goals in the
last 12 minutes against Olympiacos Rafael Benitez sent on Mellor.
Within two minutes of coming on he was first to react to a loose
ball and score at the Kop end. Then with four minutes remaining
Mellor beautifully directed a header into the path of Steven
Gerrard who did the rest to send Anfield ecstatic. Mellor also
started during the defeat in Monaco and had a late goal harshly
disallowed for a foul leading up to his effort.
Florent Sinama-Pongolle: Flo turned the Olympiacos
game in Liverpool's favour on that never to be forgotten night at
Anfield. Coming on as a half-time substitute for Djimi Traore
within a minute he equalised at the Kop end. Sinama-Pongolle also
provided the cross that led to Neil Mellor's goal and caused
absolute havoc to the Greek defence. Sinama-Pongolle played in four
of Liverpool's 14 matches leading up to the final.
Igor Biscan: Igor Biscan has been sensational in
the Champions League for Liverpool and he has really shown everyone
how good he can be. With Steven Gerrard out injured and Xabi Alonso
only able to make the bench Rafael Benitez called on Biscan for a
crucial Champions League encounter away at Deportivo La Coruna. The
Croatian midfielder responded with a magnificent performance and
the biggest compliment that could be paid was Liverpool didn't miss
Gerrard or Alonso. Biscan set up the goal and from then on he
hasn't looked back in the Champions League. Igor has played in nine
of the 14 games leading up to the final and started in the last six
of them.
Milan Baros: Milan Baros has been a tireless
worker for the team cause during the Champions League run. He has
scored two goals in 13 games leading up to the final including a
fantastic individual goal in the 2-0 win over Monaco at Anfield.
Baros also scored in the 3-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen in Germany.
His direct running at defenders has caused problems for the
opposition all the way through the tournament.
Djibril Cisse: The return to fitness of Djibril
Cisse has defied medical science but is absolutely fantastic to see
him back in action and a great testament to his attitude. Cisse
scored a fantastic goal against Monaco atAnfieldand played two more
games before his horrific injury. Cisse returned as a substitute
away at Juventus and was unlucky not to score in the semi-final win
over Chelsea at Anfield. Leading up to the final Cisse played in
eight of Liverpool's 14 games.
Antonio Nunez: The man from Real Madrid made a
crucial contribution in the 3-1 win over Olympiacos at Anfield.
Nunez played the full 90 minutes and set up Neil Mellor's goal when
his header was saved. Nunez has also played crucial roles during
the win over Juventus and an excellent late cameo role as a
substitute during the semi-final win over Chelsea. Leading up to
the final Nunez played in five of the 14 games.
Vladimir Smicer: Vladimir Smicer might be leaving
Liverpool after the final but he has also played a part in the
Champions League run with five substitute appearances. Smicer made
a lively contribution during the 3-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen in
Germany.
Chris Kirkland: Chris Kirkland played in the
memorable 3-1 win over Olympiacos at Anfield and played in four
Champions League matches, keeping one clean sheet against Deportivo
La Coruna at Anfield.
Scott Carson: Scott Carson played in one game
leading up to the final against Juventus at Anfield and he made one
fantastic save to keep out Del Piero at the Kop end. He has also
been a substitute in five of the Champions League games.
Anthony Le Tallec: Anthony Le Tallec returned from
a loan spell at St Etienne to feature in the Champions League at
Anfield. The biggest game of his career to date came in the 2-1 win
over Juventus at Anfield when he responded superbly to the faith
shown in him by Rafael Benitez. Le Tallec gave the pass for Luis
Garcia's stunning goal and got a standing ovation when he left the
field in the second half due to tiredness. Leading up to the final
Le Tallec featured in three Champions League games.
Darren Potter: The Republic of Ireland Under-21
international has had a season to remember. Darren Potter made his
first appearances in the Champions League during the qualifier in
Graz as an 84th minute substitute for Steve Finnan. He was then
given a start on the right side of midfield and played the full 90
minutes in the return game with Grazer AK at Anfield, and appeared
as a substitute during the 3-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen at
Anfield.
John Welsh: Captain of Liverpool Reserves, England
Under-21 international John Welsh has had a good season. He made
his sole Champions League appearance in the 3-1 win over Bayer
Leverkusen when he came on as a 68th minute substitute for Jamie
Carragher. Welsh was also an unused substitute during the
semi-final victory over Chelsea.
Stephane Henchoz: Stephane Henchoz made his sole
appearance during the 1-0 defeat to Grazer AK at Anfield when he
partnered Sami Hyypia at centre half.
Salif Diao: Salif played in three Champions League
games leading up to the final making one start in the centre of
midfield against Grazer AK at Anfield.
Does this means that Diao gets a medal
too? 
Liverpool's road to
Istanbul.
Grazer AK (away): 2-0 (Gerrard 2).
Team: Dudek, Josemi, Hyypia, Carragher, Riise, Kewell, Gerrard
(Warnock 80), Hamann, Finnan (Potter 84), Cisse, Baros (Diao
73).
Grazer AK (home): 0-1.
Team: Dudek, Carragher, Henchoz, Hyypia, Riise, Kewell (Warnock 58
), Diao, Gerrard, Potter, Cisse (Sinama-Pongolle 75), Baros (Hamann
90).
Monaco (home): 2-0 (Cisse, Baros).
Team: Dudek, Josemi, Carragher, Hyypia,Riise,Kewell (Warnock 76),
Gerrard, Alonso, Finnan, Cisse (Baros 68 ), Garcia (Biscan
86).
Olympiacos (away): 0-1.
Team: Dudek, Josemi (Cisse 74), Carragher, Hyypia, Riise, Warnock
(Kewell 45), Alonso, Hamann (Diao 83), Finnan, Garcia, Baros.
Deportivo La Coruna (home): 0-0.
Team: Kirkland, Josemi, Carragher, Hyypia, Traore, Riise (Kewell
65), Alonso, Hamann, Garcia (Sinama-Pongolle 84), Cisse (Finnan
76), Baros.
Deportivo La Coruna (away): 1-0 (own goal).
Team: Kirkland, Josemi, Carragher, Hyypia, Traore, Riise, Biscan,
Hamann, Garcia (Alonso 90), Kewell (Finnan 57), Baros
(Sinama-Pongolle 84).
Monaco (away): 0-1.
Team: Kirkland, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Traore (Kewell 59),
Rise, Biscan, Hamann, Garcia (Josemi 5, Warnock 64), Gerrard,
Mellor.
Olympiacos (home): 3-1 (Sinama-Pongolle, Mellor, Gerrard).
Team: Kirkland, Finnan (Josemi 88 ), Carragher, Hyypia, Traore
(Sinama-Pongolle 45), Riise, Gerrard, Alonso, Nunez, Kewell, Baros
(Mellor 76).
Bayer Leverkusen (home): 3-1 (Garcia, Riise, Hamann).
Team: Dudek, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Traore, Riise (Smicer 89),
Biscan, Hamann, Garcia, Kewell (Le Tallec 76), Baros (Potter
85).
Bayer Leverkusen (away): 3-1 (Garcia 2, Baros).
Team: Dudek, Finnan (Nunez 71), Carragher (Welsh 6
,
Hyypia, Warnock, Riise, Biscan, Hamann (Smicer 62), Garcia,
Gerrard, Baros.
Juventus (home): 2-1 (Hyypia, Garcia).
Team: Dudek, Finnan, Hyypia, Carragher, Traore, Rise, Biscan,
Gerrard, Garcia, Le Tallec (Smicer 73), Baros (Nunez 66).
Juventus (away): 0-0.
Team: Dudek, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Traore, Riise, Alonso,
Biscan, Nunez (Smicer 58 ), Garcia (Le Tallec 84), Baros (Cisse
75).
Chelsea (away): 0-0.
Team: Dudek, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Traore, Riise, Alonso,
Biscan (Kewell 85), Garcia (Smicer 90), Gerrard, Baros (Ciise
64).
Chelsea (home): 1-0 (Garcia).
Team: Dudek, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Traore, Riise, Biscan,
Hamann (Kewell 73), Garcia (Nunez 84), Gerrard, Baros (Cisse
59).
