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On This Day: Luis Garcia sends Liverpool to Champions League final

On This Day: Luis Garcia sends Liverpool to Champions League final
© Reuters
Luis Garcia scored against Chelsea to book the Reds their place in the memorable Champions League final against AC Milan.

A disputed Luis Garcia goal booked Liverpool's passage to the Champions League final as they beat Chelsea 1-0 on this day in 2005.

After a goalless first leg, the second meeting at Anfield was settled in controversial fashion with Garcia scoring just five minutes in.

Steven Gerrard flicked on John Arne Riise's pass into the path of Milan Baros, who knocked it over the out-rushing Petr Cech but went down under the challenge of his fellow Czech Republic international team-mate.

Soccer – UEFA Champions League – Semi-Final – Second Leg – Liverpool v Chelsea – Anfield
Garcia's goal came in front of the Kop at Anfield (Martin Rickett/PA)

The ball fell for Garcia to apply the finishing touch as William Gallas scrambled to block his shot.

Chelsea appealed that the ball never crossed the line and replays proved inconclusive, but the goal was given and Liverpool were bound for Istanbul, much to the disgust of Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho.

"The best team lost," the Portuguese said after the match.

"The linesman thought they scored one goal and we didn't score, so we lost.

"I don't want to criticise them but they played the way they want; they fought and fought and fought. Of course we are disappointed, but I am very proud of my players."

Whether or not there was a slice of fortune in it for Liverpool, they made the most of their opportunity.

Three weeks later, in one of the most dramatic Champions League finals, Rafa Benitez's side recovered from 3-0 down to beat AC Milan in a penalty shoot-out, lifting the European Cup for the fifth time in the club's history.

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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool23175156213556
2Arsenal23138244212347
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest24145540271347
4Manchester CityMan City23125647301741
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle24125742291341
6Chelsea23117545301540
7Bournemouth24117641281340
8Aston Villa2410773437-337
9Fulham249963632436
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2481063538-334
11Brentford2394104240231
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd2385102832-429
13Crystal Palace236982630-427
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham2376102844-1627
15Everton236892328-526
16Tottenham HotspurSpurs2373134637924
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2454153452-1819
18Leicester CityLeicester2445152553-2817
19Ipswich TownIpswich2437142249-2716
20Southampton2423191854-369


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