No. 56 – Liverpool 2-1 Juventus
Anfield witnessed an emotional night on Tuesday, 5th of April 2005 as Liverpool and Juventus met for the first time since the Heysel Stadium tragedy in 1985. Before the tie, Liverpool fans presented a banner of “friendship”, a gesture that was warmly applauded by most of the visitors.
Liverpool got off to a perfect start when two magnificent goals from Sami Hyypia and Luis Garcia gave Liverpool command in a first half in which they ran Juve ragged with a ferocious, high-tempo performance.
Rafael Benitez again opted not to risk Jerzy Dudek’s hamstring injury and young Scott Carson was given his European debut while unexpectingly young French Under-21 Anthony Le Tallec was chosen to partner Milan Baros upfront.
Sami Hyypia opened the scoring in the 10th minute, Gerrard took a superbly taken corner from the right, the ball which was flicked on at the near post and there was Sami at the back post to volley home into the bottom corner.
Fifteen minutes later and Liverpool doubled their lead, Anfield had been building in anticipation and Garcia’s goal sent it into hysteria. Igor Biscan played the ball down the right, Le Tallec flicked it on and Luis Garcia surged onto the ball 25 yards out and hit a sensational dipping volley over the despairing arms of Buffon, a goal that will never be forgotten at Anfield. By half-time Anfield was relishing an outstanding, if unexpected performance from their heroes.
The second half saw Juventus push forward in aim of an away goal, Zlatan Ibrahimovic hit the post, while what looked a good goal by Alessandro del Piero was ruled out for offside. However, the Italians away goal did come when Fabio Cannavaro headed Zambrotta’s cross past young 19 year old Scott Carson.
This was a night to rank with the greatest at a club with a rich store of past glories and two goals had just entered the game’s mythology to become shared treasures, revered by fans never to be forgotten’¦..
Liverpool: Carson, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Traore, Luis Garcia, Gerrard, Biscan, Riise, Le Tallec (Smicer 73), Baros (Nunez 66).
Subs Not Used: Dudek, Alonso, Warnock, Welsh, Potter.
Goals: Hyypia 10, Luis Garcia 25.
Juventus: Buffon, Zebina (Montero 81), Cannavaro, Thuram, Zambrotta, Blasi (Pessotto 45), Emerson, Camoranesi, Nedved, Del Piero (Trezeguet 61), Ibrahimovic.
Subs Not Used: Chimenti, Appiah, Olivera, Zalayeta.
Goals: Cannavaro 63.
Attendance: 41,216
Ref: Frank De Bleeckere (Belgium)
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