Jay Spearing has his own unique story when it comes to his adventures in the aftermath of Liverpool's 2005 Champions League triumph.

The midfielder was just a teenager dreaming of one day representing the club he had grown up supporting when Rafael Benitez's side stunned AC Milan with one of the greatest comebacks in football history.

A fifth European Cup triumph sent the city of Liverpool into delirium and when the masses turned out to welcome their heroes home from Turkey, Spearing was determined to savour every last second.

"I had a decent view of the team coming past," he said.

"I was sat on a lamp post outside the museum by Lime Street.

"I must have been up there for about four hours but it was worth it."

Such an amusing anecdote may not have become reality had Spearing had his way and made the pilgrimage to Turkey.

The 16-year-old had his heart set on witnessing the club's first European Cup final in 20 years firsthand - but the small of matter of his GCSE exams put paid to those hopes.

And when the Italians raced into a 3-0 interval lead in the Ataturk Stadium, the youngster was left wondering how it had all gone so wrong.

"It was just utter devastation," he recalled.

"There was just silence - nobody wanted to talk.

"I was in the middle of my exams so I didn't get the chance to go.

"I watched it with some mates in my local cricket club in Wallasey and it was absolutely chocker in there.

"There was so much excitement before the game but it went very quiet in the first half. We just couldn't believe what had happened in those first 45 minutes."

He continued: "At 3-0 you think it's over but as soon as Stevie (Gerrard) got one back the crowd got louder.

"That gave everyone hope and the game completely changed. Vladimir Smicer scored and when Xabi Alonso made it 3-3 the place just went crazy.

"Drinks were flying everywhere and the night just got better and better.

"To come back like that against a side as good as Milan and hold your nerve to win on penalties was amazing. It shows you should never give up.

"Luckily I didn't have an exam on that Thursday so I was able to stay out and celebrate. Everyone spilled out on to the streets and the atmosphere was brilliant."

Six years on from that unforgettable night and Spearing is now part of a Liverpool squad that still boast heroes from the Ataturk in the shape of Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher.

The 22-year-old hopes to one day emulate the duo's achievements and credits them for their efforts in helping him to make an impression on the first-team.

"I haven't ever really spoken to Stevie or Carra much about that final," Spearing said.

"But the fact they were there and played such a massive part in one of the club's greatest ever nights is amazing.

"They've both helped me so much in my career and I want to go on and win trophies like they have.

"I want to look back on my career and say I achieved something like that and won the Champions League."

Tonight's clash with Galatasaray won't be the first time that Liverpool have returned to Istanbul, having since faced both the Aslanlar and Besiktas in the Champions League.

However, it will be a maiden outing for Spearing and he is relishing the chance to play in front of supporters who have gone down in the record books as the loudest in the world.

"It will be the first time I've played in Turkey but I've heard all about the atmosphere at games there and I'm looking forward to experiencing that," he said.

"Playing in Istanbul will be a special occasion, especially for those who were there on that night back in 2005.

"Fans in Turkey love their football and are always massively behind their side. It will be a great test for us."

Liverpool's preparations for the new campaign suffered a blow when they went down to a 3-0 friendly defeat at Hull last Saturday.

Spearing insists any loss is difficult to take at a club like Liverpool and is eager to play his part in a good team performance tonight.

"At this club we don't like losing, whether it's a friendly or not," Spearing said.

"We were all unhappy with the way the Hull game went for us. We didn't play well but thankfully it was only a pre-season game and we've got time to put things right.

"Give credit to Hull because they worked hard and took their chances well.

"We've got to keep working hard and keep improving our fitness levels.

"I've really enjoyed pre-season so far. The tour of Asia was a great experience and although the heat and humidity was tough it was just what we needed to get us all into shape.

"Everyone has put everything into getting as fit as we can as quickly as possible.

"Every session has been tough but we need that to get us ready for the first game of the season. We all know the pace of the Premier League and we need to be ready for it.

"It won't be easy against Galatasaray but hopefully we can get ourselves back on track."

Watch tonight's game live on LFC TV Online>>

Tune into a special Istanbul-edition of 'Most Wanted' on LFC TV at 2pm today as we countdown the 20 most-watched clips about that unforgettable night in Turkey from 2005. Tweet your Istanbul memories to @LFC and we'll show the best of them on LFC TV throughout the programme. And don't miss live coverage of Galatasaray v Liverpool online and on LFC TV from 6pm tonight.