The Spirit of Istanbul

Cast your mind back to May 2005 for the Champion League Final in Istanbul.

Liverpool was dead and buried by half tme. The Reds were outclasseed by Milan's Kaka and Co. The score was 3-0. No one gave Liverpool a chance. Nobody did including me.

When Gerrard scored the 1st, Liverpool made stunning comback within 20 minutes to draw 3-3. Then it was history like many people said.

Last night in Stadium of Manchester, many witnessed a great comeback by a Liverpool side lacking in ideas and creativity. Keane was dropped in favour of Machesrano. Rafa opted to play one striker.

The Blues of Manchester was in joy after Stephen Ireland blasted home after Arbeloa failed to clear the ball.

Things got worse for the Reds when Garrido curled a beautiful free kick past Reina. It was 2-0 to the home team.

Liverpool was staring at their first defeat of the season. Elsewhere Chelsea was leading 2-0 at the same time.

Whatever Rafa said during the break did wake Liverpool up. Liverpool began to impose themselves. The midfielders were quicker to the ball reducing the City's midfielder to mere passengers. In 54th minute, Gerrard slipped the ball into the legs of Garrido to the oncoming Aberloa who square the ball across goa, Torres arrived late to slide the ball home. 2-1 to City.

City was down to 10 men when Zabaleta was red carded following a two footed tackle on Alonso. In the 73 minute, Liverpool had a corner. Gerrard floated a beautiful ball and Torres rises unmarked to head home Liverpool equaliser.

It was 11 men against 10 man. The onus is on Liverpool to win the game. Torres could have easily go this hatrick not he had skied his shoot wide with only Hart to beat.

Skrtel suffered a serious knee injury when he twisted his knee. Liverpool had used up all 3 substitues. There was no numerical advantage for Liverpool and both team can go on to win the game.

The comeback was finally complete in the 90 minute when Torres shoot rebound off Hart and the ball gratefully to Kuyt and he made no mistake. City was stunned and the travelling Liverpool fans were celebrating yet another comeback from Liverpool.

In this season, Liverpool was a goal down against Boro, Man Utd, Marseille and now Man City and they came back to win the game. This is indeed grit and sheer determination. It has all the making of a serious title contender.

This victory was indeed a sweet one. This match shall be remembered as a match of two halves.