Liverpool staged a dramatic comeback to clinch Champions League glory in 2005. Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Former Milan defender Cafu has revealed that the Italian club did celebrate prematurely at half-time in their remarkable 2005 Champions League final defeat to Liverpool.

Cafu's side were 3-0 up at the break after goals from Paolo Maldini and a brace from Hernan Crespo. However, Steven Gerrard got one back before Vladimir Smicer and Xabi Alonso levelled in a seven-minute spell that saw the game go to penalties.

Andriy Shevchenko could have made it 4-3 to Milan but saw two close-range efforts saved by Jerzy Dudek, and the Liverpool keeper then saved spot kicks from Andrea Pirlo and Shevchenko in the shootout to lift the trophy.

Jamie Carragher wrote in his autobiography that reports of Milan's celebrations were "a pack of lies" but Cafu has confirmed that his team did get carried away with themselves.

"It is true, yes," he said when asked in a FourFourTwo Q&A whether Milan had been celebrating in the dressing room.