A first European Cup final for the Reds in 20 years. They were underdogs before the match and 3-0 down at half-time to an AC Milan side which had Andriy Shevchenko and Kaka in their pomp. 

Down and out? Not quite because then came the comebacks to top all comebacks. Goals from Gerrard, Vladimir Smicer and Xabi Alonso drew them level, then a saved Shevchenko penalty in the shootout completed the most memorable of European victories. 

"Even the Brazil team that won the 1970 World Cup could not have staged a comeback with Milan leading 3-0," said Argentina great Diego Maradona. 

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Liverpool were aiming for a third trophy of the season and, after a rollercoaster ride, they managed it - clinching the Uefa Cup through an own-goal by the Alaves defender Geli in the 27th minute of extra-time in Dortmund.

The Spaniards had been reduced to nine men in extra-time when Gary McAllister swung over a free-kick which the Spanish defenderheaded into his own net.  Cue celebrations. Cue the treble. 

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Ah, Bruce Grobbelaar and his spaghetti wobbly legs. 

Joe Fagan's Liverpool - already three-times European champions - were up against it at the Stadio Olimpico, home of their opponents, Roma.  

But what a team it was: Grobbelaar; Phil Neal, Mark Lawrensen, Hansen, Alan Kennedy; Sammy Lee, Craig Johnston, Souness, Ronnie Whelan; Dalglish, Rush  

Grobbelaar wobbled and watched two penalties skied over the bar in the shoot-out before Alan Kennedy settled the contest.

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Liverpool were reigning European champions, but facing a Brugge side which had beaten Atlético Madrid and Juventus on their way to the final. 

It was a tedious match but one which Liverpool dominated at Wembley, with Kenny Dalglish adding the gloss to a brilliant first season at the club by scoring the second-half winner. 

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The first European Cup and maybe the sweetest? Liverpool were supreme and Bob Paisley didn't have to make a single substitution. 

Terry McDermott, Tommy Smith and Phil Neal were the goalscorers as Liverpool's European dynasty began in Rome.

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Less than 20 minutes until kick-off now. Time to go and grab a cuppa before settling down. Liverpool anthem 'You'll Never Walk Alone' is being belted out of the PA system - and the thousands of Reds fans - at St-Jakob Park.

This is Liverpool's 12th major European final, having previously reached seven Champions League/European Cup finals, three Europa League/Uefa Cup finals and one Cup Winners Cup final.

The Reds have won eight of those finals (73%), plus three European Super Cups. Here's a few of their memorable European nights...

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer in Basel

"Scuffles have broken out in one end of St. Jakob-Park Stadium. Stewards got involved and the trouble started again after it was initially broken up. Calm again for now."

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Journalists Jonathan Wilson and Chris Bascombe tweet about what he has seen about those disturbances at St-Jakob Park. The television cameras pick out one male fan who has some blood dripping from his forehead. Riot police are now on the scene.

Mark Lawrenson
Former Liverpool defender on BBC Radio 5 live

"There is no segregation whatsoever. It's absolutely crazy."

Uh oh, there are some unsavory scenes inside St-Jakob Park, according to our 5 live colleagues there. Stewards are scuffling with some fans in one of the stands.

We'll bring you more news on that as we get it.

Mark Lawrenson
Former Liverpool defender on BBC Radio 5 live

"Jurgen Klopp's former club Borussia Dortmund is very similar to Liverpool in many ways. Klopp gets Liverpool's history, he gets the supporters. There is no act with him and he seems to be able to find the words at the right moment. I read an article from Christian Benteke a few months ago and he was asked what Klopp was like. Benteke said 'he's your friend - but he's not your best friend'."  

C Li: Can't see Liverpool losing the Europa final. Their name is on the trophy. 

Steve Howes: As Lawro says if Liverpool win they end up with Champions League football and a trophy. But when they lose they will again have nothing but history.

Matt Harding: When was the last time Liverpool won in the Europa League away from Anfield? 

Last November, Matt.

Villarreal 1-0 Liverpool

Liverpool 3-0 Villarreal

Liverpool win 3-1 on aggregate

An injury-time winner in the first leg was a blow to Liverpool's ambitions of reaching the final, but there was not much for the Reds to worry about at Anfield. 

Bruno Soriano's early own goal levelled the tie before Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana secured the win and a place in a first European final for nearly a decade. 

Image source, Getty Images

Borussia Dortmund 1-1 Liverpool

Liverpool 4-3 Borussia Dortmund 

Liverpool win 5-4 on aggregate

A match which will live long in the memory. With Liverpool having bagged an away goal in the first leg, the tie was evenly balanced when the two sides met at Anfield for the return leg. 

But Dortmund, regarded as the best in the competition, went 2-0 up within nine minutes and the tie was as good as over - so many thought. 

Twice Liverpool were left needing three goals to go through. They nearly didn't manage it but Dejan Lovren's injury-time header from James Milner's cross sealed one of the most dramatic comebacks Anfield has seen.

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Javel Bleach: I'm all a-jitter. Hope Klopp's learned something from his 0% cup final record to date. 

Jurgen Klopp is pacing around the centre circle, watching his players go through their pre-match warm-ups on the St-Jakob Park turf. Nerves? What nerves? The madcap German is grinning like a man who has just been told that it is pound-a-pint in his local.

However, his recent final record is more than hazy. Klopp has lost his last four finals: the 2013 Champions League with Borussia Dortmund (v Bayern Munich), the 2014 German Cup (v Bayern Munich) and 2015 (v Wolfsburg); the 2016 League Cup with Liverpool (v Manchester City). 

Mark Lawrenson
Former Liverpool defender on BBC Radio 5 live

"When Liverpool played Manchester United in the last 16, the Europa League went up a different level. All the group games were a bit like dancing round the handbag. Automatic qualification for the Champions League is a massive carrot."

John Bennett
BBC World Service

"Stage is set for Roberto Firmino tonight. Hugely impressive in 2016 so far and has the flair and confidence to change the game."

Image source, Rex Features

Liverpool 2-0 Man Utd

Man Utd 1-1 Liverpool

Liverpool win 3-1 on aggregate

Who said the Europa League didn't matter? It did when two of England's most decorated clubs - and fiercest rivals - met in the last 16.

In a thunderous Anfield atmosphere, Liverpool took control through Daniel Sturridge and Roberto Firmino.

And Philippe Coutinho's superb solo goal at Old Trafford ended United's brief hopes of a comeback.

Image source, Getty Images

Augsburg 0-0 Liverpool 

Liverpool 1-0 Augsburg

Liverpool win 1-0 on aggregate

After a dour stalemate on Jurgen Klopp's return to Germany, the Reds sneaked through on a tense night at Anfield.

James Milner's first-half penalty was enough, despite Liverpool failing to take their chances.

An away goal would have put Augsburg through, with the Reds grateful to keeper Simon Mignolet for a late save from Tobias Werner.

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