Stevie G. The symbol of Liverpool
An innocent celebration
UEFA Champions Leagues 2005 Winners
Liverpool - Champions Of Europe
Red Sea?
The Kop
Homecoming Parade
Sea of Red
Need I say more?
2004/2005 UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
CAMPIONI LIVERPPOL! LIVERPOOL FC - KINGS OF EUROPE
The epitome look of determination. This was the similar expression when he scored the 1st goal. With this same expression, he raced back to the half way line, urging the team on and in turn, rebuked me for losing all hope in them.
The penalty save by Dudek from Shevchenko that sparked the wild elebrations
I cant believe it! No words can really describe how I'm feeling and Im only a liverpool fan. How much more it would mean to the players themselves? This feeling is even better than Singapore winning the Malaysia Cup and certainly the Tiger Cup last year. Daniel, hope you understand why I couldnt watch it with you at your home. I simply cant let you see the "real" me when watching Liverpool games. It is so unlike last week's FA Cup final because this is LIVERPOOL. Besides, I would have been deemed too noisy and rowdy for your family especially your sister. After 45mins, I really thought it was over. Over for Liverpool and no way can they come back against a team like Milan. I wanted to go back to sleep but something reminded me that Liverpool hasnt lost a game by more than 3 goals for a long time, certainly unlike teams like Man U or even Milan themsevles. I was reminded of the "strange" concidences this year has been compared to the last time Liverpool lifted the trophy; the marraige of Prince Charles and the appointment of the new Pope. The thoughts are certainly scary and I kept reminding myself and I was even more certain when Liverpool was level. When I saw Gerrard netting the 1st goal, I saw his determined look in his face. For so long, I seen it lacking in him and Im seeing it now. Unknowingly, I lifted my arms in response and urged the team on. I replicated his stance and the rest is history. As the match went, Liverpool admittedly got worn out and I could see their expression. What's left of them were just their determination. Looking into their eyes, I could see their exhaustion but somehow they carried on. I saw how the fans carried them through. As I see them making last ditch tackles, I realised how my own defence play is so much like Carragher; determination and last ditch tackles. His tackles were all timely. See the amount of tackles he made and you would expect some penalties to be conceded but there were none. I have much to learn...... Down went Smicer, down went Carragher but down never did this Liverpool side. Certainly this team is the epitome of determination. The Liverpool crowd was simple fantastic. Imagine your team is losing 3-0 at half time of a much talked final where you would simple outplayed. With heads down, you shrugged your shoulders at what really went wrong. You looked at your manager whom many regarded as a master tactican but gambled one too many with the brave introduction of Harry Kewell. You would have expected fans to jeer but not these set of fans. They were silent but defintely not jeering. Disappointed, you just wished that the game would end now. How would you feel then if you were sitting in your locker room with your head buried under your hands when suddenly you hear your proud anthem, You'll Never Walk Alone. Suddenly you regain your composure and strength. You see a master stroke of a genuis at work, bringing on Hamann for Finnan. Suddenly you find the hope that was so lacking for the past 45mins. Imagine the feeling, hearing your anthem as you walked out of the tunnel with a renewed hope. You know that even through this low moment, your fans were still right behind you. Surely they deserved nothing less than a comeback and what a comeback it turned out to be. What's sweeter was that Shevchenko didnt score and what made it even sweeter was that Liverpool won the game at the expense of his penalty miss. He was one of my favourite players, that is before this game. He threw away my admiration for me with his comments in yesterday's newspaper .
What a night it was. I defied science for 120mins and a penalty shootout. I literally didnt have time to breathe and held my breath for almost the entire game. I felt like a small little kid, jumping up and down, screaming my head off. I felt like I was at Istanbul. I paced up and down in my room and in the hall. I felt like I was one of the players, preparing to take the penalty. As they each took their turns with the penalty, I clasped my boster. I even asked myself if I should pray for a Liverpool win! With the "strange concidences" constantly at the back of my head, I saw the shootout and when Serginho and Pirlo missed, I sensed the victory. I stood up and continued to pace up and down.........
The end was near and when Dudek saved Shevchenko's penalty, I was ecstatic. With pride, I saw Gerrard lift the trophy. Finally, Liverpool is back where it rightfully belonged; Kings of Europe. CHAMPIONS!
And remember, "You'll Never Walk Alone"
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