Tag: Rafa Benitez Liverpool

Liverpool’s Istanbul: A Miracle Documentary Review

Atletico Madrid players celebrating with fans after 3-3 draw vs Liverpool

Untold UK: Liverpool’s Miracle of Istanbul is not just another documentary about that legendary 2005 Champions League final—it’s the one fans have been waiting for. Streaming on Netflix, this 78-minute film captures the drama, emotion, and sheer improbability of Liverpool’s comeback from 3-0 down at half-time against AC Milan with a freshness and intimacy that makes it feel brand new, even two decades later.

I still remember the night unfolding as a Liverpool supporter. The horror, then the very unexpected elation. I was the only person in the house so I could shout as loud as I wanted.

From the opening minutes, director Matt Rudge sets the stage perfectly. The 2004/05 season was turbulent: a new manager in Rafael Benítez, key departures (including the looming exit of Michael Owen), squad uncertainty, and a rocky path through the competition.

Jamie Carragher gives an intriguing insight into what is happening. He is at an England and newly appointed Benitez arrives to have a meeting with his three star Liverpool players – Owen, Gerrard and Owens. Carragher expects him to give them a warm embrace and his plans for the future of the team. Instead, he concentrates on where they need to improve as individuals – Owen leaves the club. Gerrard thinks about it. It takes time for them to warm to Benitez, but things gradually click.

The film doesn’t rush to the final. It builds the context beautifully—Liverpool’s struggles, the tactical masterclass that got them to Istanbul, and the underdog spirit that defined the club. Archive footage is crisp, evocative, and plentiful, blending seamlessly with modern interviews that feel raw and reflective.

The real magic lies in the voices. Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, Xabi Alonso, and Rafa Benítez (among others) speak with the hindsight of champions but the passion of men who still can’t quite believe what happened. Gerrard’s leadership and that iconic half-time team talk, Carragher’s never-say-die attitude, Alonso’s cool penalty, and Benítez’s tactical tweaks come alive in ways that go beyond the highlights we’ve all seen a thousand times. You feel the tension in the dressing room, the roar of the Liverpool fans in the stands, and the disbelief as goals from Gerrard, Šmicer, and Alonso turned the game on its head before the dramatic penalty shootout.

Five stars out of five from me. A must watch for all Liverpool supporters, or people who love the beautiful game.

Untold UK: Liverpool’s Epic Champions League Comeback

Soccer player in red jersey with number 7 walking on a wet, muddy soccer field at night in the rain

As an ardent Liverpool supporter, this day will live long in my memory. I remember waiting for the game to start. Little did I realize what I was about to witness.

Untold UK: Liverpool’s Miracle of Istanbul is an outstanding, emotionally charged documentary that captures one of the greatest nights in football history with passion, depth, and authenticity. Released in 2026 as part of Netflix’s Untold UK series, this film is a must-watch for any football fan—especially Liverpool supporters—but its appeal stretches far beyond Anfield.

The documentary masterfully revisits the entire 2004/05 season, culminating in the unforgettable UEFA Champions League final against AC Milan in Istanbul. At half-time, Liverpool trailed 3-0 against a star-studded Milan side widely regarded as one of the best club teams ever assembled. What followed remains nothing short of miraculous: a second-half comeback for the ages, capped by a dramatic penalty shootout victory.

Director Matt Rudge does a brilliant job balancing the big moments with intimate, personal stories. The film doesn’t just replay the goals (though the archive footage is superbly edited and will have you on the edge of your seat all over again). It digs into the context: a transitional squad, a new manager in Rafael Benítez, a departing striker, and a club fighting to re-establish itself on the European stag

Standout Elements

  • The Interviews: Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, Rafael Benítez, Xabi Alonso, and other key figures speak with honesty and emotion. Their reflections, now delivered with the wisdom of experience two decades later, add incredible weight. Gerrard’s leadership, Carragher’s raw passion, and Benítez’s tactical genius come through vividly. You feel their nerves, belief, and eventual euphoria.
  • Atmosphere and Pacing: The build-up to the final is gripping. The half-time team talk, the dressing room tension, and the Anfield roar in the stands are recreated so effectively that even non-fans will be swept up in the drama.
  • Themes of Resilience and Belief: This isn’t just a football documentary—it’s a story about never giving up. The “You’ll Never Walk Alone” spirit shines through every frame, making it genuinely inspiring.

My favorite part is Gerrard recounting how the players came back onto the field at half time and heard “You’ll Never Walk Alone” coming from the fans. It drove them on, and showed what’s special about the club.

Five stars out of five from me.

Come on Liverpool!