On This Day – 2005: Liverpool see off Juventus en route to stunning Champions League triumph

Here at Shoot!, we are always reminiscing and looking back on some of the more memorable football moments that have taken place down the years. And today is no different.

So, what happened On This Day in years gone by?

Well, on April 5 2005, Liverpool secured an important 2-1 victory over Italian giants Juventus in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final, a victory that helped set them on their way to their first European crown in 21 years just seven weeks later.

Rafael Benitez’s men eased past Bayer Leverkusen 6-2 on aggregate in the last 16 to set up a tie with Fabio Capello’s side, who produced a stunning display to knock Real Madrid out of the competition 2-1 on aggregate in the previous round.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBUl8xE8qC0

So Liverpool knew exactly what they were up against, but first half goals from defender Sami Hyypia and Luis Garcia set them on their way to a precious first leg lead, although Fabio Cannavaro’s header midway through the second half gave the Serie A giants some hope going into the return leg.

However, Benitez’s men stood firm in Turin to secure a goalless draw and thus set up a meeting with Premier League rivals Chelsea in the semi-finals, which they would of course go on to beat 1-0 thanks to that Garcia goal, setting up a final with AC Milan in Istanbul.

And everyone knows what happened on that famous May night in the Turkish city!