Benitez: Andriy still can't believe save
Rafael Benitez has revealed that Andriy Schevchenko still can't believe how he didn't score when Jerzy Dudek made that miraculous double save from him in Istanbul.
The incredible stop has gone down in Anfield folklore and is widely regarded as the moment when Liverpool fans believed their name was on the Champions League trophy in 2005.
Speaking exclusively to LFC TV as part of a major new 13-part series, ‘The Road to Istanbul’, Benitez said: "I was talking to Schevchenko about this and he still can't believe it. It was a great reaction from Jerzy and it was crucial.
"I think we deserved to do something more in the second half because we had the control of the game but in football things can change and Jerzy was amazing."
Reflecting on the comeback from 3-0 down to clinch their fifth European crown, Benitez admitted the Reds started to believe they could defy the odds after seeing how the Italian side were left completely stunned.
He added: "We had the belief that we could do it and I think they were shocked and didn't realise what was coming.
"Talking with some of them over here in Italy now, they couldn't believe it - and they couldn't react to it which was the main thing."
As the Reds prepare for a return to the Champions League, a special new film - 'One Night in Istanbul' - will be released exclusively in ODEON cinemas from Thursday September 11, with exclusive previews on September 10.
Tickets to see the film can be pre-ordered now at any of the following ODEON cinemas: Liverpool One; Liverpool Switch Island; Warrington; Bromborough; Wrexham; Broadway Plaza, Birmingham; Glasgow Quay; Red Dragon Centre, Cardiff; Panton Street, London; Victoria Square, Belfast; Point Village, Dublin. Click here to book.
Click here to book for Ireland showings.
Stay logged on to Liverpoolfc.com during the coming weeks for further exclusive news about the film that no Liverpool supporter will want to miss, and keep up to date on Twitter by following @ONIIMovie and #OneNightInIstanbul.
Meanwhile, Episode 1 of the new TV series, ‘The Road to Istanbul’, which charts the Reds’ epic Champions League campaign of 2004-05, will premiere on LFC TV on Monday 15 September and will also be available to watch online to LFCTV GO subscribers. Click here to subscribe to LFCTV GO - Liverpool FC’s official on-demand video service. Meanwhile, LFC TV is free to air on the Sky platform Channel 429 and Virgin Media platform Channel 544.