LIVERPOOL 5-4 ALAVES (After Extra Time)
Liverpool secured the treble, and with it their first European Trophy for 17 years on a tense night of football for all involved.
It took just 4 minutes for Liverpool to get the lead and did so through Markus Babbel, who rose above the defence to power in a close range header from McAllisters cross.
Alaves' first real chance came in the 13th minute and was courtesy of a free kick by Tellez which forced Westerweld into a save.
Then on 16 minutes, Gerrard was put through by Owen, and the Young Player of the Year stormed into the penalty area and rifled a shot low into the net for 2-0. Liverpool were looking in total control and seemed to be able to score at will.
But Alaves gradually got more and more into the game, playing some excellent football at times and they were rewarded when substitute Ivan nodded a goal back for them after 27 minutes thanks to a cross by Contra.
Liverpool, though, continued to dominated the possession and it was only a matter of time before the would regain their 2 goal lead. That time came with 5 minutes to the interval. Owen was played in by Hamann, and the goalkeeper came charging out of his area. Owen took the ball around him but the goalkeeper scrambled back into the area and brought Owen down. Fortunately for the keeper, there was a recovering defender on the line and only a yellow card was issued. But it could so easily have been a red had he have been the last man.
McAllister was again the man for the occasion and placed the ball into the bottom corner of the net just out of reach of Herrera who went the right way.
The second half saw a disastrous start for the Reds as they were forced back to 3-3 within minutes, first from a Moreno header that went into the top corner, and secondly from a free kick which, despite not well hit, managed to get under the Liverpool wall and Westerweld was helpless to do anything about it after only seeing the ball late.
The 2 early goals saw Alaves raise their game and for the rest of the game they were a constant threat on the counter attack. However, Liverpool needed to win in normal time if possible and Houllier brought on Fowler and Berger to replace Owen, who played the entire cup final on Saturday, and Heskey, who was disappointing for almost all of his time on the pitch.
Fowler had an immediate influence on the game, making some good runs and getting a few chances, one of which was on 74 minutes when he took the ball just outside the area and delayed his shot while stepping past 2 defenders, before scoring with a precise right foot shot into the corner of the net.
The game looked to have been won and just when 'You'll Never Walk Alone' was ringing around the stadium, Jordi Cruyff equalised with a last minute goal after Gerrard and Westerweld both went up for the ball and were both beaten to it by Cruyff, to send the game into extra time.
The Golden Goal rule was being used for this final and it was no surprise that both sides played the first half with extreme caution, knowing that a goal conceded would cost them the cup. Alaves scored during the first half but the goal was ruled out for an earlier offence. Berger and Fowler both had chances for Liverpool but were unable to grab the winner.
In the second half of extra time, Alaves saw themselves reduced to 9 men. Magmo was first to go, for 2 bookable offences, and after 116 minutes Karmona was dismissed also for 2 yellow cards.
The resulting free kick was to be taken by McAllister who curled a dangerous ball into the area, and saw a desperate attempt to clear the ball by Delfi Geli, but unfortunately he headed the ball over the goalkeeper and just inside the far post to decide the 2001 UEFA Cup for Liverpool!
It was a deserved win overall, but a cruel way for Alaves to lose it, although they certainly played their part in making the game one of the most entertaining of recent years!
Gary McAllister was man of the match but more importantly, Liverpool were the UEFA Cup winners to complete a unique treble of trophies!
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