The Historic Rivalry: A Look Back at Liverpool vs AC Milan Throughout the Years
The rivalry between Liverpool FC and AC Milan is one of the most iconic in European football, largely due to their encounters in the UEFA Champions League. Although these two clubs haven't met often across a variety of competitions, their head-to-head history in the UEFA Champions League has produced some of the most memorable and dramatic moments in football. Here’s an overview of their all-time encounters:
1. 2005 UEFA Champions League Final (Istanbul)
- Date: May 25, 2005
- Venue: Atatürk Olympic Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey
- Result: Liverpool 3-3 AC Milan (Liverpool won 3-2 on penalties)
- Summary: This match is widely considered one of the greatest football games of all time and is known as the "Miracle of Istanbul." AC Milan took a commanding 3-0 lead by halftime with goals from Paolo Maldini (1st minute) and two from Hernán Crespo. However, Liverpool made an incredible comeback in the second half, scoring three goals in just six minutes through Steven Gerrard, VladimÃr Å micer, and Xabi Alonso. The game went into extra time and penalties, where Liverpool emerged victorious, with goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek saving decisive penalties to secure their fifth European title.
2. 2007 UEFA Champions League Final (Athens)
- Date: May 23, 2007
- Venue: Olympic Stadium, Athens, Greece
- Result: Liverpool 1-2 AC Milan
- Summary: Two years after the epic 2005 final, Liverpool and AC Milan met again in the Champions League final, this time in Athens. Milan got their revenge with a 2-1 victory. Milan's goals came from Filippo Inzaghi, who scored twice (one off a deflection and another in the 82nd minute). Liverpool pulled one back late on through Dirk Kuyt, but Milan held on to win their seventh European Cup.
3. 2021-22 UEFA Champions League Group Stage
- First Match:
- Date: September 15, 2021
- Venue: Anfield, Liverpool, England
- Result: Liverpool 3-2 AC Milan
- Summary: This was the first time the two teams faced each other outside of a final. In a dramatic group-stage clash, Liverpool won 3-2 at Anfield. Milan went 2-1 up after going down 1-0 early, but goals from Mohamed Salah and Jordan Henderson sealed the victory for Liverpool.
- Second Match:
- Date: December 7, 2021
- Venue: San Siro, Milan, Italy
- Result: AC Milan 1-2 Liverpool
- Summary: Liverpool completed a group stage double over AC Milan with a 2-1 win at the San Siro. Milan initially took the lead through Fikayo Tomori, but Mohamed Salah and Divock Origi scored to ensure Liverpool topped the group with a perfect record. Milan, on the other hand, were knocked out of the competition.
Head-to-Head Record (As of 2023)
- Total Matches Played: 4
- Liverpool Wins: 3
- AC Milan Wins: 1
- Draws: 0 (Liverpool won the only match that went to penalties)
Memorable Moments
2005 Miracle of Istanbul: Liverpool's incredible comeback from 3-0 down to win the Champions League on penalties is considered one of the greatest moments in football history.
Milan’s Redemption in 2007: After the heartbreak of 2005, Milan’s win in 2007 was a moment of redemption, especially for players like Paolo Maldini and Filippo Inzaghi, who had suffered in Istanbul.
Legacy of the Rivalry
Although Liverpool and AC Milan have only met four times, their rivalry is defined by the magnitude of the occasions. Both clubs are giants of European football, boasting rich histories and multiple European titles (Liverpool with 6 and AC Milan with 7 as of 2023). Their Champions League final encounters helped elevate their rivalry to legendary status, especially with two of the most dramatic finals in modern football history.