Stage all set for sequel of Liverpool-Milan drama

By Mike Collett

ATHENS (Reuters) - Liverpool and AC Milan arrived in the Greek capital on Monday ready to play out the sequel to the most unbelievable European Cup final ever staged.

Almost two years to the day since their epic 3-3 draw in Istanbul was decided in Liverpool's favour on penalties, the two clubs meet again with Milan looking for revenge and Liverpool hoping to lift the European Cup again in far less traumatic circumstances than on penalties after going 3-0 down.

Dirk Kuyt, who hopes to be in Liverpool's attack at the Olympic Stadium on Wednesday night, but was with Feyenoord in 2005, summed up most peoples' feeling about the 2005 final when he said: "It was unbelievable.

"At 3-0 all the Milan players looked so happy and thought the game was over. Then something crazy happened.

"It was a miracle, one of the most amazing things that has ever happened on a football pitch ... but I don't think anything like that will ever happen again."

Milan established a 3-0 lead by halftime which Liverpool erased after scoring three goals in a six-minute spell with an hour played.

There were no more goals in normal or extra time and Liverpool triumphed 3-2 on penalties for their most dramatic European Cup success.

Eight of Milan's starting line-up that night are still with the club as are nine of Liverpool's, but unless one side takes an early lead as Milan did in 2005, Wednesday's game is likely to be far less open.