Perhaps the place of confusion was the most fitting end to a frantic night in Dortmund.
When the unfortunate Delphi Geely saw a Gary McAllister free-kick in his own net in the 117th minute of the 2001 UEFA Cup final between Alves and Liverpool, the Reds’ 62nd match was of a horrific season.
The goal in itself was a golden goal, with the beneficiaries of a short-lived rule offered in favor of Gerard Hallier for a period of extra time that immediately confirmed the team that scored the winner of the first tie.
But not everyone realized at the Liverpool camp in Westfalenstadion that the match was over and their historic campaign guaranteed a third trophy.
Here, exactly 20 years after that incredible, ridiculous 5-4 win against the Spaniards, we rekindle the emotions, errors and the end of one of the greatest finals of European football through the memories of those Huh.
Liverpool are visibly exhausted while flying to the north west of Germany for the UEFA Cup final in May 2001.
Just four days before the showpiece occasion at Borussia Dortmund’s home, the Reds made a stunning comeback to defeat Arsenal in the FA Cup final amid rising temperatures in Cardiff.
Hollier has 61 hard-fought games in his favor – many of them ‘must win’ – in his mind and feet and he will have to try to fight through mental and physical fatigue if he is to complete his tag as a favorite And a raise is the third piece of silverware of the season ...
Phil Thompson: “It was hard to celebrate [after the FA Cup finals]. We tried to tell the players that we wouldn’t celebrate, which we didn’t. Some of the confidence I got after many years, some of the boys had some There were scoops, but I guess because we set the rules – that we would celebrate after the last game against Charlton – so we all went there, all inspired, ready for our first European final for 16 years. This was largely Was. “
Gary McAllister: “You just won the FA Cup, but there was no occasion to celebrate. I think we drank a glass of wine with dinner and then our attention quickly shifted to the Elves and towards Germany. Was growing and getting ready to go again. It was that type of season where the games just kept coming and they became more important than the previous ones. “
Steven Gerrard: “This year people don’t really appreciate that we’ve played a lot of football, it was challenge after challenge, the schedule was brutal. But we were at this peak of a wave, we rolled into each fixture. We went and just believed in us that whatever happened that day, we were ready to do it. “
Jamie Carragher: “We absolutely did. I remember I was traveling with the coach for that game and it did not feel like a cup final. Originally, we were the losers and this was our 62nd game of the season; We played the cup final [four] days ago in the scorching heat and we were battered in that game and were chasing. I don’t think we had the legs to win that game as comfortably as we should have, and we were basically hanging on. And that made it one of the greatest UEFA Cup finals ever, perhaps the greatest. “
Marcus Babel: “It was a great atmosphere and Dortmund was the perfect stadium to play in the finals. It was special for me and Didi to play in our country. My mom and dad were there, my friends were there. It was special to me. “
Courtesy of goals from Marcus Babel and Steven Gerrard, there is still little sign of the rollercoaster coming when Liverpool have taken a 2–0 lead within the opening 16 minutes.
In fact, the Reds took a two-goal advantage at half-time after McAllister converted a penalty – within half of his introduction from the bench – to halve the deficit for Alves despite Ivan Alonso’s later reaction .
But that lead is somehow shattered in the 51st minute.
Javi Moreno laid the trap for the opposition after the restart, with his second, to Liverpool’s desperation, with a free-kick on the edge of the box threaded down the wall ...
Emil Heskey: “As everyone was saying, ‘Jump, Jump, Jump’ I’m thinking, ‘I can’t jump, I don’t like jumping, I don’t mind going to my tiptoe.’ I’d rather they lift it up and over me because it’s more difficult. But for some reason we all jumped and it went under the wall and I was like, ‘Oh no, I knew I shouldn’t have jumped. ‘”
Sander Westerveld: “We were 3-1 ahead by half-time and the boss asked us to concentrate and said that it wasn’t over yet. We were very comfortable and unfortunately, we were back on Earth soon. Gave up when Javi Moreno scored twice to make it 3-3. We conceded some silly goals. “
Dietmar Haman: “We shouldn’t have let them come back into the game. We kept Barcelona out [in the semi-finals] for 180 minutes and then when you are ahead 2-0 and 3-1 you have to win the game. “
Hullier’s men slowly regain their senses, refusing to be afraid of rejuvenating enemies. And soon, a possible fairy-tale scenario ensues.
Robbie Fowler, sent as a substitute after the Aleves drawing level, dances in a shooting position 20 yards from goal and cuts a right foot inside the right post.
Surely Scosser provided the decisive input? The moment for the club to win its third UEFA Cup win? Relief for thousands of Reds traveling inside the stadium?
And then Jordy Cruyff goes to a corner at the nearby checkpoint in the 89th minute. 4-4. Liverpool will have to dig deep again ...
Sander Westerveld: “He was a meter in front of me and took the ball in. I fell to my knees and it was one of the worst moments for a goalkeeper, conceding that kind of goal at the end of the game.”
Jamie Carragher: “We could go then. Even though we were a better team than the Elves, we could wither away. Because it is a big shock when you concede late, you are one minute away from winning the UEFA Cup and they score from the set-piece. And to go again from there probably shows character, even though it was not a good performance. We were very poor at night. But again it only shows the character of the team, which was very special. “
Danny Murphy: “It was a game that used to go back and forth, and even though they kept coming back, for some reason I never thought we were really going to lose. I know they scored late but we were strong and we felt strong. The confidence in us, the confidence in ourselves that came from crossing the line in the other two finals, was huge in that game. “
Steven Gerrard: “I liked us before the game, we thought we were favorites, but we made some important mistakes in the game. This is why the scoreline was probably the same. I always felt that we had players and staffers who hurt Elves – and we did. We always saw a danger going forward. But we needed our match winners and our big players to stand up and count on the day, and we did. “
Dietmar Hamann: “When they scored in the final minute to make it 4-4 and then we went into extra time, you usually lose these games, but I think it’s again out of our strength. There was one. It brings unity, bond and you have to deal with adversity. “
McAllister stands on a free-kick near the left touchline with just three minutes left of the extra half-hour forced by Cruyff’s equalizer. A penalty shootout looms.
Not even Scott, who is in the midst of a stunning purple patch, might consider trying to score from this angle, so instead he lands a cross in the area looking for a teammate Floats
Aleves Gelli rises to the top and meets the ball first – but considers his relationship wrong. It escapes above his head, loops over his own goalkeeper and finds a distant corner.
A Golden Goal. Liverpool are the 2001 UEFA Cup winners.
But who really knows…?
Phil Thompson: “Some of the players of the night, some of our players who were actually playing, did not know that it was a golden goal. You would find that amazing, wouldn’t you? How did they not know the rules? Not only that, our coach Patrice Burgess, who was on the bench when Gary McAllister moves the ball inside, comes over the top of Geely’s head and you can see the ball nesting in the bottom corner – whoever Gave us this – an employee like us arrived on the pitch. But some players [were saying], ‘Why is the staff, why is everyone on the pitch? Why is everyone celebrating? ‘ They did not know that it was a golden goal. “
Jamie Carragher: “I’m not sure that many of us really knew the Golden Target rules until the end.”
Steven Gerrard: “I should have been aware ... but I wasn’t completely convinced! It was one of those guys where you were running to celebrate and not only celebrate Gary’s goal, but They were also looking for people’s reactions to confirm that the game was done and dusted. “
Emil Heskey: “I remember the goal going in and no one knew what to do because if I was right there was a sudden death? Gold target. And nobody knew what to do, so we were like , ‘what happens?’ It was like 10 seconds when everyone went and celebrated and everyone jumped on Mecca.
Marcus Babel: “I knew it because I experienced the same process with Germany at Euro 96 when we beat the Czech Republic. As soon as I saw Gary kicking, I came to know that the ball was in the goal. Is. I was very happy. “
Sander Westerveld: “I forgot about the golden goal! I turned to the fans and clenched my fists and thought, ‘They’ll never score again.’ And it took me five or six seconds to see everyone happy. It struck me that this was a golden goal and I never ran so fast in my life that I could celebrate with the kids!
The confusion quickly turns into a long-lasting celebration by uniting players, staff and supporters to capitalize on another amazing achievement of this special team.
He has once again taken the toughest path to glory, but Hullier’s men have emerged from one of the most dramatic finals to date, having made a more prominent history ...
Dietmar Hamann: “I remember all of us standing with the fans who were singing You Will Never Walk Alone. It was just memories I will never forget. In Germany, Liverpool have always had a huge following, but I have Everyone seems to have realized that the night is back to Liverpool. Later scenes and ceremonies, I don’t think any club can do this side by side with this football club and that’s why it makes Liverpool so special is.
Jamie Carragher: “We all remember exactly what happened in Istanbul, but it was in some ways a crazy game. It also caters to 5-4, a prestigious stadium in Dortmund. It’s almost forgotten. Is. Even the ceremony at the end, we were all together as a team and the supporters were singing songs for the haulier and different things. It was a fantastic night. “
Danny Murphy: “Once we won, it was a remarkable feeling. I don’t think you can take much at that moment of what you have done and been a part of. “
Sami Hypia: “We played a lot of exciting finals – 2006, 3-3 against West Ham; obviously Istanbul; and Aleves is another thrilling final. Nine goals in the finals, however, often don’t happen!”
Steven Gerrard: “A bizarre night, a bizarre game. Obviously a joy and really proud to be at the right end of it.”
Emil Heskey: “It was amazing. The hair on the back of your neck stands up and you get a little emotional, right? It was one of those days which was awesome. “