An ex-Liverpool star has slammed Rafa Benitez for the way the Spaniard treated him prior to the club’s famous 2005 Champions League victory.
More than two decades ago, Liverpool and AC Milan faced off in what is widely regarded as the greatest Champions League final ever, held at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey.
By the end of the first half, Liverpool seemed out of contention, trailing 3-0 after an early goal from Paolo Maldini and two more from Hernan Crespo.
Yet, Liverpool went on to produce one of football’s most iconic comebacks. Goals from Steven Gerrard, Vladimir Smicer, and Xabi Alonso brought the score to 3-3 by the 60-minute mark.
Ultimately, the English side triumphed in the penalty shootout, winning 3-2, with Andriy Shevchenko missing the decisive penalty.
Though that unforgettable night in Istanbul is cherished by Liverpool’s players and supporters, not everyone holds such fond memories of the occasion.
Defender Stephen Warnock, a lifelong Liverpool supporter, was deeply disappointed with how manager Rafa Benitez treated him in the lead-up to the iconic final against AC Milan.
Speaking on the Under The Cosh podcast last year, Warnock shared that, although he was initially named in the 18-man squad for the final, he was later dropped. After informing his family to arrange travel to Istanbul, he was told by assistant manager Pako Ayestaran that there had been an error and he would no longer be part of the matchday squad.
Reflecting on the experience, Warnock said: “It was tough for me because I’m a Liverpool fan—I grew up standing on the Kop. I remember thinking, ‘I f***ing hate this team, what’s going on here?’ I was furious.
“It wasn’t the team I hated—it was Rafa. I was happy for the lads, but I was also really angry about how everything unfolded.”
Warnock went on to reveal that each member of the 18-man squad was promised a £200,000 bonus if Liverpool won the final, or £100,000 if they lost.
He also recalled missing the victory parade and having to watch it unfold on Sky Sports.
“I remember that night just going to bed,” he said. “They told us, ‘Right, the plane leaves at this time in the morning for the parade in Liverpool.’ Then they changed it and said, ‘Only the 18-man squad and their wives or girlfriends are going.’
“So they gathered them all—bear in mind their partners had flown out with us—and they flew back separately. I missed the parade and ended up watching it on Sky Sports.
“Our flight was delayed. The players landed at Liverpool Airport, got straight on the buses, and started the parade. I just remember thinking, ‘What a shambles.’”
