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As Liverpool prepare for a showdown against Real Madrid in the 2018 Champions League final in Kiev, we look at how the current team compares against the last Liverpool team to reach the final of the showpiece event in 2006/2007.
The team beaten 1-2 in the final by AC Milan consisted of stars like Steven Gerrard, Dirk Kuyt, Xabi Alonso, Daniel Agger and an ageing Robbie Fowler but who makes it into our combined XI with the current crop of stars?
Goalkeeper: Pepe Reina
While Loris Karius has plenty of time to prove himself, having just made the goalkeeping slot his own midway through the 2017/2018 season, Pepe Reina was already one of the best in the world in 2007. The Spanish international had already taken over from Jerzy Dudek and cemented his position as the undisputed number one between the posts.
Reina was at the peak of his powers and had just won his second of three Premier League Golden Glove awards by the end of the 2006/2007 season. His undoubted quality has seen him appear for other European giants such as Barcelona (where he started his career), Villarreal, Bayern Munich and current team Napoli.
His shot-stopping, distribution, ball skills, leadership and ability to save penalties make his inclusion an easy one.
Right-back: Steve Finnan
One of Liverpool's best right-backs of recent years, if not the best, Finnan was a consistent, reliable and dependable performer down the flank. He holds the distinction of having played in the Football Conference, all four levels of English league football, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Cup, Intertoto Cup and the World Cup representing the Republic of Ireland.
Finnan was a solid defender who also participated in the attack and was adept at crossing the ball. He won the 2004/2005 Champions League with Liverpool, as well as an FA Cup, UEFA Super Cup and the Community Shield.
While young Trent Alexander-Arnold has the potential to be even better, Finnan just edges him to make the right-back slot in our combined XI his.
Center-back: Jamie Carragher
One of the best defenders in the history of the club, Carragher's selection is a sure one. Jamie was an excellent reader of the game, an aggressive and no-nonsense tackler, with great stamina and work-rate.
Yet, it is his organizational ability and leadership that really stand out. For years after his retirement, Liverpool struggled to find someone to marshal the defense which is a testament of his importance to the club.
Carragher was in fine form in the 2006/2007 season and was voted Liverpool's Player of the Year by the fans. He fit in perfectly alongside a ball-playing center-back which should make his partnership with the second center-back in our team a strong one.
Center-back: Virgil van Dijk
Virgil just edges Daniel Agger and Sami Hyypiä (past his peak at the time) to slot in alongside Carragher. The record signing from Southampton has helped bring composure to Liverpool's back line while also being a threat from set-pieces.
The Dutchman is the complete package with great positioning, dominant in the air, a brilliant tackler, a leader at the back with wonderful organizational skills and a wonderful passer. He is also a strong defender and has a decent shot when in range.
He could be a mainstay in the Liverpool defense for many many years.
Left-back: Andrew Robertson
Andy Robertson is Liverpool's best left-back since John Arne Riise, which makes this one of the most difficult choices in this team. Both full-backs are great at supporting the attack with Riise better in this respect because of his set-piece threat and goal contribution.
Robertson, however, makes the team because of his defensive ability and ability to strike the right balance between attack and defence. He has unbelievable stamina and makes facing him a nightmare for attackers, as he hounds and chases after every ball and dives into every tackle. His crossing ability is also very good making him a threat when he makes marauding runs up the field.
Defensive Midfielder: Javier Mascherano
Such was the impact of Mascherano that he signed for Liverpool in February on loan from West Ham United, made his first Champions League appearance in the quarterfinal, and still put up a wonderful display in the final leading to Liverpool fans voting him man of the match on the club's official website.
He was known for his tough-marking and hard-tackling style in midfield, shielding the defense and allowing the creative players the freedom to express themselves. His leadership qualities and ability to read the game justify his inclusion in our XI. It is this tactical intelligence that allowed him to excel as a center-back at Barcelona after departing Anfield.
Central Midfielder: Xabi Alonso
Xabi Alonso is quite simply one of the best passers of the ball to ever play the beautiful game. Alonso's ability to pick a pass, short or long, was a thing of beauty and that itself is enough for him to make this team.
He was, however, much more than just a passer. The Spaniard was also a wonderful reader of the game, an aggressive tackler and was an effective dead ball specialist. He also had a penchant for the spectacular goal from distance. The thought of Alonso supplying those long passes from his deep-lying position to Liverpool's current forward line is the stuff of dreams.
Central Midfielder: Steven Gerrard
Arguably Liverpool's greatest ever player, Gerrard not only takes his place in our three-man midfield but also takes up the captain's armband. He was still at his peak during this run to the UEFA Champions League final and was named in the FIFA World XI and the UEFA Team of the Year in 2007.
Stevie G could do everything: he could tackle, pass, head the ball, take penalties and free-kicks and score especially from long range. He was in the habit of delivering when the team needed him the most. He was a leader on the pitch and his determination and influence on the field made those around him better. A true legend.
Right Forward: Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah has had one of the best individual seasons of any Liverpool player ever and has a chance to top it all off with the Champions League title. He also has a chance to dethrone the dominant Ronaldo and Messi and claim the Ballon d'Or this year and a victory in Kiev could greatly boost his chances.
His pace, dribbling and finishing strike fear into the hearts of defenders and in our combined XI would probably be even better playing in front of the likes of Gerrard and Alonso.
Center Forward: Roberto Firmino
Liverpool started the Champions League final with Dirk Kuyt as the center forward, though, he switched to a wider role later in his Liverpool player. The hardworking and energetic Dutchman is, however, kept out of this lineup by Roberto Firmino, who has proved to be just as hardworking and energetic.
Firmino defends from the front and is brilliant at tackling and tracking back. He also showcases his Brazilian flair with some wonderful skills and innovative finishing in front of goal. He is great at linking up play and assisting his teammates in the final third and is also a clinical finisher himself; the complete package.
Left Forward: Sadio Mane
Completing the forward line is the final member of the 'Fab three', Sadio Mane. Mane has had a terrific season notching 9 goals in the Champions League. His pace, link up play and clinical finishing has made him one of the best in Europe.
He has also played in an attacking midfield role and is equally adept on the right side of the attack. The Senegalese international has been a revelation since signing for Liverpool and beats out Bolo Zenden for the final spot in our combined XI.
