Whilst many Liverpool fans attention will be focused on their sides Europa League final date with Seville later this evening, some will be nostalgic for the last time they claimed the trophy all of 15 years ago.
2001 marked the end of a superb season for the Gerard Houllier led side. Having already claimed a League and FA Cup double (over Birmingham and Liverpool respectively) over the ensuing months, a Westfalenstadion (Dortmund) date with Spanish outfit Alaves awaited a Liverpool side full of the attacking gusto of Owen, Fowler and a young Steven Gerrard.
The night started superbly for the Reds, with Marcus Babbel opening the scoring and then Steven Gerrard following suit with a well placed second.
Heavy favourites to lift the trophy in the match build up, Liverpool soon grew complacent against a side that, seemingly unbeknown to them, packed a real attacking punch.
Ivan Alonso’s header reduced the deficit, however the two goal lead was soon restored when veteran Gary McAllister converted a penalty, the spot kick awarded after Owen was brought down by goalkeeper Martin Herrera.
3-1 to the good going into the second half, Houllier’s second phase game plan was quickly undone when Javi Moreno pulled one back, minutes later the underdogs would equalise when a low free-kick made its way through a poorly constructed wall and past the hapless Westerveld.
Liverpool at this point were rocking.
A delicate Robbie Fowler finish looked to have sealed the win for the Merseysiders on 73 minutes, only for Alaves to yet again push back Liverpool with a last gasp equaliser via former Manchester United midfielder Jordi Cruyff.
A breathless full 90 minutes was accompanied by a bonkers extra time where the La Liga side lost two players to red cards following rash challenges.
With Alaves desperately holding on with 9 men, Liverpool’s pressure eventually payed off after a question asking Gary McAllister free-kick found the head of Delfi Geli, the defender tragically heading past his own goalkeeper to give Liverpool a 5-4 golden goal winner.
