A new Netflix documentary charting Liverpool's iconic comeback over AC Milan in the 2005 Champions League final revealed one hilarious detail after one player was sent for a shower "devastated"
Liverpool players line up during penalty shootout in 2005 Champions League final
Djimi Traore was ordered for a half-time shower during the 2005 Champions League final before being told he was still playing(Image: Liverpool Echo/Colin Lane)
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Liverpool cult hero Djimi Traore was left "devastated" when Rafa Benitez sent him for a shower midway through the club's iconic 2005 Champions League final win over AC Milan. That's according to fresh insight revealed in Untold: Liverpool's Miracle of Istanbul, which is set for release next Tuesday (May 19).
After a porous first half in the Turkish capital, the Reds trailed 3-0 at half-time in one of the most famous nights in European football history. Traore had been a particular source of frustration in the first period, giving away the free-kick that saw Milan score their opener and almost gifted another when he played Andriy Shevchenko onside.
Numerous stars of that title-winning side, including Traore, contributed to the retelling of Istanbul as part of the new Netflix documentary. And those who starred in the comeback of all comebacks recounted Benitez's actions after he sent his left-back for a shower before being forced to perform a U-turn.
Traore, 46, said he "felt ashamed" of both his individual performance, as well as that of the team. Both Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher then commented on the "commotion" that soon unfolded, with different players hurling blame at one another's feet.
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"There was fighting and like, 'You're not doing this'," recalled Carragher. "Rafa tells Djimi Traore that he is going off. He says 'Traore, shower'. He [Traore] is devastated, he has just been brought off in the biggest game of his life. Djimi goes for his shower and Didi Hamann goes out to warm up because he is coming on at half-time.
Hamann then commented how he felt helpless in his bid to impact the scoreline as he added: "My first reaction was, 'What am I meant to do now?'
"We were 3-0 down against a world XI, the chances of coming back are next to nothing. I went outside to start warming up and the next thing I see is Djimi taking his kit off and walking naked to the shower."
Djimi Traore of Liverpool kisses the trophy as he celebrates with team mates following victory in the UEFA Champions League Final between Liverpool and AC Milan on May 25, 2005
Djimi Traore was almost hooked at half-time in Istanbul but went on to write his name in Liverpool history(Image: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
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Except it turned out Traore's race wasn't run after all. Devastated, nude and feeling like his only shot at European greatness was over before it had a chance to begin, the ex-Mali international was suddenly instructed to get his kit back on.
Carragher continued: "After Djimi goes for his shower. The physio tells Rafa that Steve Finnan, one of our defenders, is injured and couldn't continue.
"I just remember a little pause from Rafa and he just said, 'Finnan, shower'. And then there is another pause from Rafa - 'Traore, out of the shower'. Djimi comes back out again and has to put all of his kit back on. Didi Hamman comes back in. Oh it was chaotic."
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Traore ended up absolving himself in the second half. Liverpool scored three times in six minutes to draw level against all the odds and it was Traore who prevented Milan going back ahead in the 70th minute when he cleared a Shevchenko dart off the line.
Hamann also played a crucial role in history considering it was his spot-kick that set the tone for the rest of the penalty shootout. Djibril Cisse and Vladimir Smicer also tucked away their attempts, while Jerzy Dudek played his iconic part in keeping Milan at bay, saving two penalties.
The end result was Traore going down in folklore alongside the rest of a squad that was written off at half-time. And no-one in the Ataturk Olympic Stadium that night had a greater resurgence than Traore, who was stripped of everything before being restored in iconic fashion.
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