A chant of "We're going to win four-three" may have seemed like a continuation of their defiance, but, in reality, it was only a tongue in cheek assessment of their chances of success. But within a quarter-of-an-hour of the second half a four-three victory didn't seem like such an unlikely scenario. Three goals within minutes of each other sent the Liverpool fans into raptures - the dream was alive again. Suddenly, the Ataturk Stadium was again reverberating to the Merseybeat - the Fields of Anfield Road and the catchy Ring of Fire being sung with even more gusto than before. Extra-time brought a nervousness which lowered the decibel levels as most fans chose to quietly pray or were simply unable to sing in the face of such excruciating tension. They soon re-discovered their voices as the match was taken into penalties and AC Milan missed their first two kicks. By the time Jerzy Dudek made his final save from Andriy Shevchenko the Liverpool supporters were in ecstasy. Strangers embraced and tears rolled down the faces of many fans. Twenty years have passed since the horrors of Heysel and this was Liverpool's night of redemption. A fifth European Cup was in the bag and, undoubtedly more importantly, their fans had restored their reputation in Europe's biggest club competition. Leaving the stadium after the final whistle the same songs were still being sung as loudly as before but only after they had serenaded their Italian adversaries with a chant of "Milan, Milan" - clearly not directed at Baros. For Gareth Roberts, from Huyton, the victory marked his defining moment as a Liverpool fan. "We've waited so long for this fifth win," he said. "You start to think it might never come but it's definitely all the more special because of the wait. "I have heard all the stories about European Cup wins from the past and because I was too young to be there I've always felt that I've missed out on something as a Liverpool fan. "But now the supporters of my generation have got their own glory night to cling on to and I doubt there have ever been any better than this." Phil Smart, from Fairfield, added: "How can you top that? I can't think of anything that we could do in the future that could even come close to what I've just witnessed. "Even if we won it another 10 times it wouldn't match that. The best thing is we've now won the European Cup as many times as every other English club put together so our achievements are there for everyone else to admire again." Liverpool fans were today described as a "credit to their club and country" by the British Consul in Istanbul. British Consulate General Barbara Hay said the "wonderful" fans would be welcomed back in Istanbul. She said: "Ever since the Liverpool supporters began arriving in Istanbul at the weekend they've been a credit to their club and their country. "In the last few days, there has only been a single arrest reflecting just how good their behaviour has been." | 
