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Rafa Benitez recalls the defiant teamtalk he gave in the bowels of the Ataturk Stadium a decade ago.

Liverpool were facing a humiliating defeat in the 2005 Champions League final after going into half-time 3-0 down to a dominant AC Milan side.

“My speech was about having belief,” Benitez told the ECHO.

“I had to be the first one to believe or it would have been impossible.

“My message was: ‘The first goal in the second half is key. Let’s score it and then we will see’.”

The clarion call was answered spectacularly by his captain.

Pushed further forward after the introduction of Didi Hamann for the injured Steve Finnan, Steven Gerrard kick-started the greatest comeback in football history.

His header from John Arne Riise’s cross gave the travelling Kop hope and within six manic second-half minutes Liverpool had restored parity.

There were other heroes in red that night as the Red dug deep to clinch a treasured fifth European Cup on penalties.

But Benitez says that historic triumph epitomised Gerrard’s never-say-die spirit and ability to inspire those around him.

The same qualities were evident when he produced the late piledriver against Olympiakos earlier that season which enabled Liverpool to scramble out of their group and put them on the road to Istanbul.

“Steven has always led by example,” Benitez said. “Thanks to him the other good players that we had were always better.

“He talks with players and pushes his team-mates on. That night in Istanbul they knew he could make the difference and they were following him.

“Sometimes there is a moment when something happens to change the dynamic. Steven’s goal had such a galvanising effect.

“Everyone was lifted by his reaction to the goal. He started the feeling that the team could come back to win.

“I felt the momentum change and the reaction of our fans gave us energy.”

Benitez believes the Miracle of Istanbul also showcased Gerrard’s remarkable versatility.

“With Steven you get commitment, passion, a leader and a player with power, talent and excellent technique when it comes to passing, heading and shooting,” Benitez said.

“He’s a very complete player. That’s why he’s been able to play in a number of different positions.

“That night he started in midfield before we moved him up to play as a second striker.

“With Luis Garcia and Steven playing with freedom between the lines, Milan didn’t know how to stop them.

“Then in extra-time after Serginho came on Stevie played almost as a full-back.”

When Benitez was appointed manager in June 2004 his first task was to travel to Portugal to meet Gerrard, Michael Owen and Jamie Carragher, who were away with England at Euro 2004.

Chelsea tried to prise Gerrard away but the captain spurned their advances and reaffirmed his commitment to the cause.

The Spanish coach set about trying to elevate his game to the next level.

“I remember my first meeting with him in Portugal and I could see his interest for tactics,” Benitez said.

“They didn’t use to analyse games in this way, so he started thinking about the game and that allowed him to improve so much.

“He had to improve tactically and he did it little by little. He was very keen to learn.

“The talent always was there. When he was 17 he was good, he had the potential.

“In Spain the way to work is different than in England. He had the best qualities of the English players – his passion, his determination.

“We just had to guide him through the understanding of the game, the tactics, the reasons why we did things. He was lucky to have good team-mates around that allowed him to use all his potential.

“Every year he was more mature in terms of experience and decision making. He was reading the game much better and even as a holding midfielder he can do well there now with all his experience.”

With Gerrard operating at the peak of his powers, Benitez’s Liverpool continued to challenge for the big prizes.

In 2005/06 he broke the 20-goal barrier for the first time and was crowned PFA Player of the Year. He lit up the FA Cup final in Cardiff, his stunning last-gasp 30-yarder making it 3-3 against West Ham and forcing extra time. Once again Liverpool won on penalties.

They reached the Champions League final again in 2007 only for Milan to exact their revenge in Athens.

Gerrard went on to form a lethal double act with Fernando Torres as the Reds humbled the likes of Inter Milan and Real Madrid.

The captain’s 24-goal haul in 2008/09 was the best of his career as Liverpool finished as runners-up and he collected the Football Writers’ Player of the Year.

“He is one of the best I’ve ever worked with,” Benitez said.

“He was a box to box midfielder, but he learned how to play in different positions.

“We played him on the right, which he didn’t like, but he had freedom to go inside and he scored more than 20 goals from this position.

“I remember he played even on the left with the England team under Fabio Capello.

“His best position for us was behind Torres. His first touch and precise passing allowed Torres to score a lot of goals.

“With Mascherano, Alonso or Lucas behind we had balance, power, talent and pace.”

It was under Benitez that Gerrard came closest to leaving Liverpool post-Istanbul in the summer of 2005.

The temptation was there when Jose Mourinho came calling but ultimately he couldn’t bring himself to cut his emotional ties with the Kop.

Over the past decade there have been countless other offers from top clubs across Europe but Gerrard has always stayed put. The current Napoli boss admires that loyalty.

“It wasn’t easy for Steven,” Benitez said. “He had a massive offer from Chelsea.

“His family was important for this decision and by remaining he won more trophies with Liverpool during his career.

“In our team he was Gerrard – our captain, a legend.

“Outside of Liverpool FC he could be great and maybe win the Premier League, but he never would be as important as he was for our fans.

“The way you win is important and Istanbul 2005 and Cardiff 2006 will be always there for him and for all of us. He has given the fans so many great moments.

“From Italy it is not easy to know why Steven is leaving. I wish him all the best and I hope he enjoys every minute.”