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It has been 13 years since Liverpool last won the coveted Champions League and 11 years since the Reds reached the final. Both of those appearances came against a legendary AC Milan team. However, the Merseyside club has struggled to reach anywhere near the summit again in the past decade, until now.
Now, the five-time winners are set to take on another legendary team in Real Madrid, who have won 3 out of the last 4 Champions Leagues. The odds are once again stacked against the English side but there is no doubt that Jurgen Klopp and his boys will be ready to pounce on the opportunity.
On one hand, it remains to be seen whether Liverpool have to endure another night like Istanbul back in 2005. On the other hand, there is no doubt regarding the performances the team put in to reach the final. While the match could go either way, let's take a look at how the current starting lineup compares to the iconic one from the 2005 Champions League final.
Goalkeeper - Jerzy Dudek vs Loris Karius
On the surface, this looks like a no-contest. Dudek's heroics at Istanbul was absolutely vital for the Reds' win that night. However, the Pole had the match of his life that night and is normally prone to the odd mistake.
This sounds similar to Loris Karius, who has definitely improved in spades since January but still does not enthuse confidence like Pepe Reina once did.
Nevertheless, the German is getting better and Kyiv could very well be the night where he comes into his own. However, until that happens, Dudek takes the win here as he already delivered on his potential that night in Istanbul.
LFC 2005 1 - 0 LFC 2018
Right-back - Steven Finnan vs Trent Alexander-Arnold
Steve Finnan belonged to the old school of full-backs who could defend as good as one would expect. The Irishman was supremely consistent yet unspectacular with the major talking point being his excellent defensive ability. It is fair to say the club are yet to replace him since he left back in 2008.
On the other hand, Trent Alexander-Arnold is the perfect modern full-back. The 19-year old has stormed into the limelight with his performances this season and is set to face Cristiano Ronaldo and co. in the finals.
The local lad is excellent on the ball, possesses a wicked delivery and puts in the necessary defensive work. Thus, he is set to be a long-term mainstay at the club but there is one aspect he is lacking in at the moment - experience.
While Trent has shown his desire and commitment can make up for his lack of experience, they tend to count in big finals and Finnan beats the local boy to the right-back spot.
LFC 2005 2 - 0 LFC 2018
Left-back - Djimi Traore vs Andy Robertson
Djimi Traore is still considered to be the luckiest player to win a Champions League winners' medal in 2005, considering his quality when compared to the rest. While the Malian did show great heart in his performance that night, he continues to be at the receiving end of playful banter from fans.
Meanwhile, Andy Robertson did have to wait to get his opportunity after joining from Hull City this season. When he finally got it, back in December, the Scot grabbed it with both hands and is now the first-choice left-back at the club. Quality, consistency and determination make him a well-rounded left-back and he has been key for the Reds' march to Kyiv.
Thus, Robertson takes the win comfortably against Traore to open the scoring for the current Liverpool team.
LFC 2005 2 - 1 LFC 2018
Centre-back - Jamie Carragher vs Dejan Lovren
Jamie Carragher is the best defender to come through the Liverpool academy in this century. His leadership, consistency and quality were duly amplified due to his sheer desire to win every time he donned the Reds' jersey. The narrative could not be more opposite for Dejan Lovren.
The 28-year old has struggled to hit top form at Anfield and faces constant criticism from fans and pundits alike. However, he did turn a corner this season as his performances show. Further, he is similar to Carragher in terms of passion and is dangerous during set-pieces.
Nevertheless, Carragher's ability to step up in big games and to fight for the club even when running on empty, as seen in the 2005 final, simply sees him top Lovren.
LFC 2005 3 - 1 LFC 2018
Centre-back - Sami Hyypia vs Virgil van Dijk
The first quality clash in this list belongs to these two centre-halves. On one side is Sami Hyypia, one of the greatest bargain signings ever made by the club and turned out to be one of the classiest defenders in Liverpool history. On the other side is Virgil van Dijk, the most expensive defender to date and he has already shown his worth in the past five months.
In fact, the Dutchman was instrumental for the Reds' progress in the Champions League as his leadership and calmness stabilized the shaky defence. While the 26-year old could eventually carve a big spot in the Liverpool history for himself, Hyypia wins this tie for his quality, accomplishments and longevity.
LFC 2005 4 - 1 LFC 2018
Deepest Midfielder - Xabi Alonso vs Jordan Henderson
Xabi Alonso is one of the greatest technicians to ever play for the club. His stints with Real Madrid and Bayern Munich further emphasise this quality. The Spaniard scored the third goal in the stirring comeback at Istanbul and proved to be one of the best Liverpool midfielders ever. No wonder, he is deeply adored by fans even today.
This could not be farther from a description Jordan Henderson. The former Sunderland man does not have the technical ability or the ability to dominate games like Alonso.
However, the 27-year old is no slouch and more than makes up for it with his 'never-give-up' attitude and brilliant team-ethic. In fact, it is his selflessness and the understanding of the club which made him the Liverpool captain.
Nevertheless, this clash is a no-contest and Xabi Alonso takes another big win for the 2005 team.
LFC 2005 5 - 1 LFC 2018
Roaming Midfielder - Steven Gerrard vs Gini Wijnaldum
Pitting almost any Liverpool player against Steven Gerrard will result only in one outcome. A ferocious combination of ability, leadership and unbreakable will, Gerrard stands out with his unbelievable knack for putting on a show in the biggest games of his career.
Comparing Wijnaldum with arguably the club's best player does not help the Dutchman's case at all. In fact, the 27-year old has played a crucial part in winning the midfield for Klopp. However, Steven Gerrard comfortably nails this one and takes the captain's armband as well.
LFC 2005 6 - 1 LFC 2018
Attacking Midfielder - Harry Kewell vs James Milner
Kewell and Milner are an unusual matchup in several ways. The latter is an attacking midfielder while the former plays deeper. Also, the roles are different as well with Milner having the extra task of protecting the defence constantly and picking his runs forward.
Kewell was a player with potential who never fully realized it at Liverpool. Meanwhile, Milner joined on a free, played at left-back last season and has put on consistent top displays this season. He broke the assist record for a single Champions League campaign with 9 so far and never stops running.
LFC 2005 6 - 2 LFC 2018
Right Winger - Luis Garcia vs Mohamed Salah
If this debate was put forward at the starting of the season, then Garcia could easily make a strong case. However, 44 goals and innumerable awards later, there can only be one winner. Salah has been nothing short of breathtaking in his debut season, smashing goals and breaking records for fun.
The Egyptian has been Liverpool's go-to man and everything about his game suggests that he is not going to be a one-season wonder.
While Garcia had a good career at Anfield, including some truly memorable goals, there is no disputing Salah's case here and he pulls one more back for the Liverpool 2018 team.
LFC 2005 6 - 3 LFC 2018
Left winger - John Arne Riise vs Sadio Mane
Riise is another Reds player loved by fans everywhere and known for his thunderous left-foot which evokes quite a few special few memories. Primarily a left-back by trade, Benitez deployed him further ahead for the final back in 2005. This makes the matchup a little one-sided as Sadio Mane is a natural attacking player.
Further, the Senegalese international is currently one of the best attackers in world football and continues to develop under Klopp. His performances have been crucial since he joined the club last season and he was involved in several key goals this season. Hence, he takes the win in this matchup for the current team.
LFC 2005 6 - 4 LFC 2018
Striker - Milan Baros vs Roberto Firmino
Milan Baros was a decent acquisition for the Reds and the Euro 2004 Golden Boot winner started up front in the 2005 Champions League final. However, Firmino is a truly unique striker who is destined to be a Liverpool legend by the time he leaves the club.
The Brazilian has already scored 27 goals this season and his combination of skill, work-rate and team-play makes him a world-class player. Now, Baros was never considered in that bracket during his peak and this implies Firmino completes the clean sweep for the most destructive attacking trio in Europe this season.
LFC 2005 6 - 5 LFC 2018
Thus, most of the defence from 2005 stands out while the attack from 2018 shines over, which is a fair reflection of the teams as well as the managers' preferred style of play. Also, winning the final in Kyiv offers a few players on this list a great chance to edge past their counterparts from 2005 and become a part of the club's rich history.
Have your say. Who do you think should start for Liverpool? How should Real Madrid lineup? Who will have the last laugh? Let us know in the comments section below.
