Latest news with #TheRedsRoundtable
Belfast Telegraph
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Steven Gerrard: Liverpool's ‘Miracle of Istanbul' will never be repeated again
'Miracle of Istanbul' and 'Istanbul 2005' entered the sporting lexicon a long time ago and it is testament to the achievement of Rafael Benitez's Liverpool team that it remains the go-to recollection when it comes to comebacks. The facts hardly need repetition: 3-0 down at half-time to a star-studded AC Milan team boasting the likes of Kaka, Hernan Crespo, Andriy Shevchenko, a comeback sparked by Steven Gerrard, Jerzy Dudek's 'save of my life' from Shevchenko in extra-time before more goalkeeping heroics in the penalty shootout. Gerrard believes it will be a feat which will never be repeated. 'If you look at the recent Champions League winners and how it is moving forward, I don't think that will be done again because we weren't in the best top 10 teams in Europe,' he told a special edition of The Reds Roundtable, alongside Benitez and team-mate Sami Hyypia, posted on the club's YouTube channel. 'If you think about some of the teams we competed against in terms of ability across the squad – compared to Milan, Juventus and I'm not sure how much money Chelsea spent to put that squad together – for Rafa to guide us to win that European Cup is probably one of the best jobs you will see, pound for pound I would say.' The outcome of the game all hinged on the half-time team-talk Benitez delivered to his shell-shocked players, who returned to the dressing room after what Gerrard described as 'the most difficult walk off a pitch'. But with echoes of You'll Never Walk Alone being belted out by their unbowed fans, Benitez came up with the tactical plan which would change the course of history. Sacrificing right-back Steve Finnan for defensive midfielder Dietmar Hamann released Gerrard to attack more and his flicked header nine minutes into the second half was followed by goals from Vladimir Smicer and Xabi Alonso, following up his saved penalty. 'I was taking notes at 2-0 down what I have to say in English and then we conceded the third goal,' said Spaniard Benitez. 'So then I have to think and the first thing is stay calm. After that I have the note, 'if we score one goal we will be back in the game'. 'The main thing was (have) a plan. If they know that you have a plan they will follow, even if you are wrong, but because we did it so many times they will believe in you.' Gerrard and Hyypia were impressed by their manager's calmness amid the chaos. 'I think the belief was quite low when we were walking to the dressing room,' said Hyypia. 'I think many managers would have screamed their lungs out to us, that we were so poor in the first half.' Gerrard added: 'That's where I saw Rafa's best performance as a manager in that four or five minutes he spoke for. Without that guidance and those instructions and that calmness we don't go out and change the way we play. 'But we could see behind the mask – 'Rafa's seething here. He is not happy with us'.' Events in Liverpool's more recent history, namely the 2019 semi-final second-leg comeback from 3-0 down against Lionel Messi's Barcelona, have drawn comparisons but Gerrard does not think the two equate. 'I think the Barcelona game is close, because obviously they were 3-0 down playing against Messi, (Luis) Suarez. But this is the final, it's different,' he said. 'It affected so many lives, especially in this city, in the country and beyond. 'Obviously we are all focused on the journey with the current team but to leave that legacy we did is obviously a very proud feeling. I wish I could do it all again.'
Glasgow Times
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Momentous comeback of Miracle of Istanbul can never be emulated
'Miracle of Istanbul' and 'Istanbul 2005' entered the sporting lexicon a long time ago and it is testament to the achievement of Rafael Benitez's Liverpool team that it remains the go-to recollection when it comes to comebacks. The facts hardly need repetition: 3-0 down at half-time to a star-studded AC Milan team boasting the likes of Kaka, Hernan Crespo, Andriy Shevchenko, a comeback sparked by Steven Gerrard, Jerzy Dudek's 'save of my life' from Shevchenko in extra-time before more goalkeeping heroics in the penalty shootout. May 25 is the 20th anniversary of Liverpool's Miracle of Istanbul (Rebecca Naden/PA) Gerrard believes it will be a feat which will never be repeated. 'If you look at the recent Champions League winners and how it is moving forward, I don't think that will be done again because we weren't in the best top 10 teams in Europe,' he told a special edition of The Reds Roundtable, alongside Benitez and team-mate Sami Hyypia, posted on the club's YouTube channel. 'If you think about some of the teams we competed against in terms of ability across the squad – compared to Milan, Juventus and I'm not sure how much money Chelsea spent to put that squad together – for Rafa to guide us to win that European Cup is probably one of the best jobs you will see, pound for pound I would say.' The outcome of the game all hinged on the half-time team-talk Benitez delivered to his shell-shocked players, who returned to the dressing room after what Gerrard described as 'the most difficult walk off a pitch'. But with echoes of You'll Never Walk Alone being belted out by their unbowed fans, Benitez came up with the tactical plan which would change the course of history. Liverpool famously trailed AC Milan's star-studded team 3-0 at half-time (Phil Noble/PA) Sacrificing right-back Steve Finnan for defensive midfielder Dietmar Hamann released Gerrard to attack more and his flicked header nine minutes into the second half was followed by goals from Vladimir Smicer and Xabi Alonso, following up his saved penalty. 'I was taking notes at 2-0 down what I have to say in English and then we conceded the third goal,' said Spaniard Benitez. 'So then I have to think and the first thing is stay calm. After that I have the note, 'if we score one goal we will be back in the game'. 'The main thing was (have) a plan. If they know that you have a plan they will follow, even if you are wrong, but because we did it so many times they will believe in you.' Gerrard and Hyypia were impressed by their manager's calmness amid the chaos. 'I think the belief was quite low when we were walking to the dressing room,' said Hyypia. 'I think many managers would have screamed their lungs out to us, that we were so poor in the first half.' Gerrard added: 'That's where I saw Rafa's best performance as a manager in that four or five minutes he spoke for. 'Without that guidance and those instructions and that calmness we don't go out and change the way we play. 'But we could see behind the mask – 'Rafa's seething here. He is not happy with us'.' Events in Liverpool's more recent history, namely the 2019 semi-final second-leg comeback from 3-0 down against Lionel Messi's Barcelona, have drawn comparisons but Gerrard does not think the two equate. 'I think the Barcelona game is close, because obviously they were 3-0 down playing against Messi, (Luis) Suarez. But this is the final, it's different,' he said. 📅 #OTD in 2005, Liverpool became European champions for the 5th time after THAT game in Istanbul 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 🤔 Have you seen a better #UCL game?#OnThisDay | #MondayMotivation | @LFC — UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 25, 2020 'It affected so many lives, especially in this city, in the country and beyond. 'Obviously we are all focused on the journey with the current team but to leave that legacy we did is obviously a very proud feeling. I wish I could do it all again.'
Leader Live
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Momentous comeback of Miracle of Istanbul can never be emulated
'Miracle of Istanbul' and 'Istanbul 2005' entered the sporting lexicon a long time ago and it is testament to the achievement of Rafael Benitez's Liverpool team that it remains the go-to recollection when it comes to comebacks. The facts hardly need repetition: 3-0 down at half-time to a star-studded AC Milan team boasting the likes of Kaka, Hernan Crespo, Andriy Shevchenko, a comeback sparked by Steven Gerrard, Jerzy Dudek's 'save of my life' from Shevchenko in extra-time before more goalkeeping heroics in the penalty shootout. Gerrard believes it will be a feat which will never be repeated. 'If you look at the recent Champions League winners and how it is moving forward, I don't think that will be done again because we weren't in the best top 10 teams in Europe,' he told a special edition of The Reds Roundtable, alongside Benitez and team-mate Sami Hyypia, posted on the club's YouTube channel. 'If you think about some of the teams we competed against in terms of ability across the squad – compared to Milan, Juventus and I'm not sure how much money Chelsea spent to put that squad together – for Rafa to guide us to win that European Cup is probably one of the best jobs you will see, pound for pound I would say.' The outcome of the game all hinged on the half-time team-talk Benitez delivered to his shell-shocked players, who returned to the dressing room after what Gerrard described as 'the most difficult walk off a pitch'. But with echoes of You'll Never Walk Alone being belted out by their unbowed fans, Benitez came up with the tactical plan which would change the course of history. Sacrificing right-back Steve Finnan for defensive midfielder Dietmar Hamann released Gerrard to attack more and his flicked header nine minutes into the second half was followed by goals from Vladimir Smicer and Xabi Alonso, following up his saved penalty. 'I was taking notes at 2-0 down what I have to say in English and then we conceded the third goal,' said Spaniard Benitez. 'So then I have to think and the first thing is stay calm. After that I have the note, 'if we score one goal we will be back in the game'. 'The main thing was (have) a plan. If they know that you have a plan they will follow, even if you are wrong, but because we did it so many times they will believe in you.' 🤯🤯🤯 Jerzy Dudek double save #OTD in 2005!#UCL | #OnThisDay | @LFC — UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 25, 2020 Gerrard and Hyypia were impressed by their manager's calmness amid the chaos. 'I think the belief was quite low when we were walking to the dressing room,' said Hyypia. 'I think many managers would have screamed their lungs out to us, that we were so poor in the first half.' Gerrard added: 'That's where I saw Rafa's best performance as a manager in that four or five minutes he spoke for. 'Without that guidance and those instructions and that calmness we don't go out and change the way we play. 'But we could see behind the mask – 'Rafa's seething here. He is not happy with us'.' Events in Liverpool's more recent history, namely the 2019 semi-final second-leg comeback from 3-0 down against Lionel Messi's Barcelona, have drawn comparisons but Gerrard does not think the two equate. 'I think the Barcelona game is close, because obviously they were 3-0 down playing against Messi, (Luis) Suarez. But this is the final, it's different,' he said. 📅 #OTD in 2005, Liverpool became European champions for the 5th time after THAT game in Istanbul 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 🤔 Have you seen a better #UCL game?#OnThisDay | #MondayMotivation | @LFC — UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 25, 2020 'It affected so many lives, especially in this city, in the country and beyond. 'Obviously we are all focused on the journey with the current team but to leave that legacy we did is obviously a very proud feeling. I wish I could do it all again.'
Rhyl Journal
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Momentous comeback of Miracle of Istanbul can never be emulated
'Miracle of Istanbul' and 'Istanbul 2005' entered the sporting lexicon a long time ago and it is testament to the achievement of Rafael Benitez's Liverpool team that it remains the go-to recollection when it comes to comebacks. The facts hardly need repetition: 3-0 down at half-time to a star-studded AC Milan team boasting the likes of Kaka, Hernan Crespo, Andriy Shevchenko, a comeback sparked by Steven Gerrard, Jerzy Dudek's 'save of my life' from Shevchenko in extra-time before more goalkeeping heroics in the penalty shootout. Gerrard believes it will be a feat which will never be repeated. 'If you look at the recent Champions League winners and how it is moving forward, I don't think that will be done again because we weren't in the best top 10 teams in Europe,' he told a special edition of The Reds Roundtable, alongside Benitez and team-mate Sami Hyypia, posted on the club's YouTube channel. 'If you think about some of the teams we competed against in terms of ability across the squad – compared to Milan, Juventus and I'm not sure how much money Chelsea spent to put that squad together – for Rafa to guide us to win that European Cup is probably one of the best jobs you will see, pound for pound I would say.' The outcome of the game all hinged on the half-time team-talk Benitez delivered to his shell-shocked players, who returned to the dressing room after what Gerrard described as 'the most difficult walk off a pitch'. But with echoes of You'll Never Walk Alone being belted out by their unbowed fans, Benitez came up with the tactical plan which would change the course of history. Sacrificing right-back Steve Finnan for defensive midfielder Dietmar Hamann released Gerrard to attack more and his flicked header nine minutes into the second half was followed by goals from Vladimir Smicer and Xabi Alonso, following up his saved penalty. 'I was taking notes at 2-0 down what I have to say in English and then we conceded the third goal,' said Spaniard Benitez. 'So then I have to think and the first thing is stay calm. After that I have the note, 'if we score one goal we will be back in the game'. 'The main thing was (have) a plan. If they know that you have a plan they will follow, even if you are wrong, but because we did it so many times they will believe in you.' 🤯🤯🤯 Jerzy Dudek double save #OTD in 2005!#UCL | #OnThisDay | @LFC — UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 25, 2020 Gerrard and Hyypia were impressed by their manager's calmness amid the chaos. 'I think the belief was quite low when we were walking to the dressing room,' said Hyypia. 'I think many managers would have screamed their lungs out to us, that we were so poor in the first half.' Gerrard added: 'That's where I saw Rafa's best performance as a manager in that four or five minutes he spoke for. 'Without that guidance and those instructions and that calmness we don't go out and change the way we play. 'But we could see behind the mask – 'Rafa's seething here. He is not happy with us'.' Events in Liverpool's more recent history, namely the 2019 semi-final second-leg comeback from 3-0 down against Lionel Messi's Barcelona, have drawn comparisons but Gerrard does not think the two equate. 'I think the Barcelona game is close, because obviously they were 3-0 down playing against Messi, (Luis) Suarez. But this is the final, it's different,' he said. 📅 #OTD in 2005, Liverpool became European champions for the 5th time after THAT game in Istanbul 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 🤔 Have you seen a better #UCL game?#OnThisDay | #MondayMotivation | @LFC — UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 25, 2020 'It affected so many lives, especially in this city, in the country and beyond. 'Obviously we are all focused on the journey with the current team but to leave that legacy we did is obviously a very proud feeling. I wish I could do it all again.'
Glasgow Times
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Big summer ahead for Liverpool as rivals respond
The Reds' current skipper Virgil van Dijk will lift the championship trophy after Sunday's final match of the season at home to Crystal Palace. But planning is already underway to bolster Arne Slot's squad, with Bayer Leverkusen's Jeremie Frimpong edging closer to becoming their first signing after his £30million release clause was triggered. 'He's a difficult manager to please' 👀🗣️ Steven Gerrard, Rafa Benitez and Sami Hyypia reunite in the Reds Roundtable, presented by @StanChart 🙌🔴 #Ad — Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 22, 2025 Liverpool also have a serious interest in Frimpong's team-mate Florian Wirtz despite his reported £125m price tag. 'How are they going to make the squad capable of dominating? Because it's not easy,' Gerrard told a special edition of The Reds Roundtable, posted on the club's YouTube channel, in which he, Rafael Benitez and Sami Hyypia reminisced about the 20th anniversary of their 2005 Champions League victory. 'Everyone else is going to strengthen. Look at PSG (Paris St Germain), the level they have gone to so quickly. '(It's a) big summer to make sure we are ready to compete for everything again next year. That's Liverpool Football Club, it's all about what's in the pipeline.' Van Dijk will be presented with the Premier League trophy by Alan Hansen, Liverpool's former eight-time title-winning captain, accompanied by Mark and Jo McVeigh from the Owen McVeigh Foundation, which works in the community to help create memorable experiences for families with children battling cancer. Hundreds of thousands of fans are expected in the city to watch the team parade the trophy on Monday but the club have joined forces with Liverpool City Council, Merseyside Police and Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust to deter supporters from using pyrotechnics. Fans have been warned not to bring pyrotechnics to Monday's title-winning parade (Peter Byrne/PA) After last month's match against Tottenham, when the title was clinched, there were almost 50 reports of burns from the celebrations outside Anfield with the youngest being a three-year-old child. 'We know that Monday will be a fantastic day for all Liverpool fans, but over the past few years we have seen several children and young people who have needed hospital treatment after using pyrotechnics or flares,' said Nathan Askew, chief nurse at Alder Hey. 'We would ask anyone attending to enjoy the day, but please do so safely.'
