ECSTATIC Xabi Alonso hailed match-winner Jerzy Dudek for the saves that clinched Liverpool's fifth European Cup.
Aside from his heroics in the penalty shoot-out where he kept efforts from Andriy Shevchenko and Andrea Pirlo out, Dudek made an astonishing double block from Shevchenko in the dying minutes to keep the score at 3-3.
The Poland international has had his critics at times this season. But he had a feeling in the lead up to the game that he would have a significant role to play and he has ensured that his place in Anfield's Hall of Fame is now assured.
And Alonso declared: "For me he was the hero. He made great saves during the game and his save from Shevchenko was incredible. He has been a key player and is now the hero for Liverpool. He kept the trophy in our hands."
Alonso himself played a starring role in Liverpool's breathless comeback, dictating the pace of the game in the second half with Steven Gerrard.
Crucially, he also scored the third goal that capped a remarkable comeback. He was alert enough to ram home from six yards after Milan keeper Dida saved his initial penalty.
Clutching his winners medal, with one hand, and rubbing his head in disbelief with the other,
Alonso could not put into words his feelings. What he did point out, though, was that it was Rafael Benitez's soothing rhetoric at half time that helped lay the foundations for the second half revival.
