This time, there would be no improbable comeback for Liverpool.
AC Milan defeated Liverpool 2-1 in the Champions League final Wednesday thanks to a pair of goals from Milan’s Filippo Inzaghi.
Liverpool’s Dirk Kuyt scored on a header in the 89th minute, but there would be no repeat of the 2005 final when Liverpool came back from a 3-0 deficit to defeat Milan on penalty kicks.
Early on, Liverpool controlled much of the match and kept the ball away from Milan star Kaka thanks to solid defense by Javier Mascherano. But as is often the case in soccer, the slightest error (or “luck,” as Steven Gerrard described Milan’s first goal) can change everything.
Inzaghi deflected a free kick from teammate Andrea Pirlo into the net just before halftime, which was a punch in the stomach for Liverpool considering it was only a minute away from going into the half tied 0-0.
Liverpool had its chances, but the fact Gerrard was unable to have an impact hurt the Reds’ attack. Gerrard’s notoriously dangerous shot was off-target, with a few ending up in the stands.
Like Gerrard, Kaka had a quieter game than expected. Luckily for Milan he would not be taken out of the match completely. The Brazilian forward set up Milan’s second goal in the 82nd minute.
Liverpool, as it is known to do, kept fighting to the end. This never-say-die attitude produced the late goal, but the ref blew the whistle minutes later to give Milan its seventh European Cup.
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larroyave@tribune.com
