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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Charlotte Coates

'That's the special end' - Steven Gerrard relives Liverpool Istanbul heroics with on-pitch tour

Steven Gerrard has highlighted how 'special' it is for him to return to the Ataturk Stadium in Istanbul for the first time since 2005.

The Liverpool legend was the captain of Rafa Benitez's side when they came from 3-0 behind to beat AC Milan in a penalty shootout in the Champions League final.

Benitez's side were three goals down at half-time and Gerrard's header sparked a historic comeback that saw Vladimir Smicer and Xabi Alonso level the clash before Jerzy Dudek went on to be the shootout hero.

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Gerrard spoke to BT Sport ahead of Manchester City vs Inter Milan in the Champions League final on Saturday night at the Ataturk.

"It's my first time back to the Ataturk Stadium, but not my first time back to Istanbul," Gerrard said. "It's a city I hold close to my heart after 2005. It's extremely special to be back. The hairs on my neck stood up as soon as I walked in the stadium and I got a real nice buzz.

"The memories have never been away in all honesty. It was the best night of my life. I often look at that highlights of that night. I get asked about it all the time with the media and through people I meet on a daily basis. The memories have never, ever gone away but to be here now on the same stage where it all happened is very special for me personally.

Pointing to the end where all the goals were scored, Gerrard added: "That's the end, that's the special end where it all the goals went in. It's very nostalgic, especially when I walked into the stadium. It's nice to be back under the lights. The stadium is obviously open air, it's special, I get goose bumps on my neck.

"It's an incredible feeling. I can't believe I've waited this long. I've never really watched the full game, I've seen the highlights and I've seen the goals back many times. I've seen the highs and the lows from the game, the story, the journey. I've seen it all, I've lived it all and I'm still living off it! It's the highlight of my career by a country mile."

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