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Rafa Benitez plotted Liverpool's Istanbul miracle and he goes back on Saturday with Newcastle... but he returns a single-minded outsider who has never been truly loved at Anfield

Daily Mail | March 2, 2018

Related Topics: Rafael Benítez, Istanbul, Anfield, Liverpool F.C., Saturday, Miracle, Plotter, Liverpool, Willy Caballero, Daniel Sturridge

The miracle of Istanbul will always define Rafa Benitez and fragments of the memory are still coming to mind even now, nearly 13 years on.

There was one just the other week about how he was making notes for his half-time team talk at the moment Liverpool went 3-0 down to Hernan Crespo's goal in that 2005 Champions League final.

At a talk in Newcastle, Benitez admitted for the first time that he'd been briefly overwhelmed in that moment.

The miracle of Istanbul with Liverpool will always define Rafa Benitez, now with Newcastle
The miracle of Istanbul with Liverpool will always define Rafa Benitez, now with Newcastle
Benitez's side came from 3-0 down against AC Milan to win the 2005 Champions League final
Benitez's side came from 3-0 down against AC Milan to win the 2005 Champions League final
Benitez now returns to Anfield for the third time since he left Liverpool eight years ago
Benitez now returns to Anfield for the third time since he left Liverpool eight years ago

'What could I say in English?

See full article at Daily Mail