Istanbul 2005: Where are they now?

We've taken the side that started on the night and looked at where they are around the world. Some have retired, plenty are still playing in leagues in Europe and America - and one, of course, is still training each day at Melwood just as he was eight years ago.

So to get us started, it's the man whose heroics in the gut-wrenching penalty shoot-out at the Ataturk brought the European Cup back to Anfield, where it remains to this day...

GK: Jerzy Dudek (Retired)

The Polish stopper performed heroics to deny Andriy Shevchenko with a supreme double save in extra-time before pushing away two penalties in the shoot-out. Edged out as No.1 by Pepe Reina, Dudek left Anfield in 2007 to join Spanish giants Real Madrid - he made a handful of appearances for Los Blancos before announcing his retirement in 2011.

LB: Djimi Traore (Seattle Sounders)

The French full-back joined Seattle Sounders on February 23, 2013 after a successful pre-season trial. Bought by Gerard Houllier in 1999, he joined Liverpool from his hometown club Laval. After leaving the Reds in 2006, Traore went on to play for Charlton, Portsmouth, Rennes, Birmingham City, AS Monaco and Olympique Marseille.

RB: Steve Finnan (Retired)

The only player to have played in the World Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Cup, all four levels of English league football and the Football Conference, Finnan hung up his boots in 2010. The reliable Reds right-back departed Anfield for Espanyol in 2008 and finished his playing career at Portsmouth the following year. His last game was in the 2010 FA Cup final when Pompey were edged out by Chelsea at Wembley.

CB: Sami Hyypia (Manager of Bayer Leverkusen)

Following his emotional final day farewell at the end of the 2008-09 season, Liverpool's long-serving defensive stalwart Hyypia headed for Leverkusen after 10 years of service at Anfield. The Finn was appointed assistant manager in October 2010 and in May 2012, he took up the reins as first-team manager. Hyypia's side finished third in the recently concluded Bundesliga season, a solitary point behind the impressive Borussia Dortmund.

CB: Jamie Carragher (Retired)

A genuine hero in Turkey, producing a series of exceptional clearances and tackles despite suffering from severe cramp, Jamie Carragher continued to excel at Anfield in the eight years that followed the Istanbul triumph. Indeed the 35-year-old only hung up his boots six days ago, making a 737th and final appearance for the Reds against Queens Park Rangers last Sunday. Carragher's next career step is into punditry with Sky Sports.

LM: John Arne Riise (Fulham)

Riise enjoyed a three-year spell at Roma after departing Anfield in 2008. The full-back, who started in an advanced role in Istanbul, opted for a return to England to join his brother Bjorn Helge at Fulham in 2011. The Norwegian has held down his place in the first team under Martin Jol and in December 2012, he returned to Anfield to a standing ovation from the Kop during the Reds' 4-0 win.

RM: Luis Garcia (Club Universidad Nacional)

The man who netted so many crucial goals for the Reds on so many nights bid farewell to the Kop in July 2007. From Anfield, the diminutive attacker went on to play for Atletico Madrid, Racing Santander, Panathinaikos and Puebla, in Mexico, before making the switch to Club Universidad Nacional in 2010. He was back at Anfield in September 2012, to play in Jamie Carragher's testimonial (above) where he curled in a beauty in front of the Anfield Road end.

CM: Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid)

Alonso continues to weave his magic on the fields of La Liga. The Spaniard, who delighted Reds' fans with his immovable composure and elegant passing repertoire swapped Merseyside for Madrid in August 2009. Since leaving, he has won the La Liga title, the Copa Del Rey as well as the World Cup and European Championships. He remains a truly pivotal cog in both Jose Mourinho's set-up and for the all-conquering national side.

CM: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)

After Jamie Carragher's retirement, Steven Gerrard is the only player who began proceedings at the Ataturk eight years ago still representing Liverpool. The captain was an inspiration on the night in question, scoring the Reds' first goal and winning the penalty which subsequently brought Rafa Benitez's side level. Now almost 33, the skipper has made 630 appearances for the club.

AM: Harry Kewell (Unattached)

A surprise selection from the start by Benitez in 2005, Harry Kewell lasted just 23 minutes before being replaced due to injury. The Australian left Anfield for Galatasaray in 2008 and defended the Turkish side's colours for three years. The attacking midfielder then switched to Melbourne Victory before joining Al-Gharafa on a short-term deal. The former Socceroo is currently a free agent.

CF: Milan Baros (Banik Ostrava)

Milan Baros played a crucial role in the Reds' journey to Champions League glory eight years ago, often playing alone up front. Istanbul proved to be his final major appearance, however, as the Czech Republic hitman left for Barclays Premier League rivals Aston Villa. He later represented Lyon, Portsmouth and Galatasaray; he then re-joined Banik Ostrava, the club he left for Anfield, in 2013.

Sub: Vladimir Smicer (Retired)

Vladimir Smicer's final Liverpool appearance was a fairytale - the Czech midfielder entered the action as a substitute, scored a crucial comeback goal and converted a penalty in the Istanbul shoot-out. Smicer departed Anfield for French football with Bordeaux and then returned to his home nation and Slavia Prague before hanging up his boots.

Sub: Dietmar Hamann (Retired)

Hamann's introduction at half-time in the final changed the game and allowed the Reds to battle back - of that there can be no doubt. He would go on to lift the FA Cup with the Reds the following year again under dramatic circumstances, before making the switch to Manchester City in the summer of 2006. 'The Kaiser' finished his playing career in 2011 at Milton Keynes Dons. He currently works as an occasional pundit on BBC and Sky Sports productions - and is a regular on our very own LFC TV.

Sub: Djibril Cisse (Al-Gharafa)

Cisse has been a well-travelled striker since his departure from Liverpool, with short stints at Marseille, Sunderland, Panathinaikos, Lazio and QPR following. The 31-year-old France international is currently on loan with Qatar-based side Al-Gharafa from the latter, a club where he has found the net an impressive five times in six appearances.

Manager: Rafa Benitez (Chelsea interim manager)

Rafa Benitez moved into a job with Inter Milan immediately after leaving Liverpool, following a six-year spell at the Anfield helm which included Champions League and FA Cup triumphs. The Spaniard's time in Italy was short and he was forced to wait almost two years away from football before being offered an interim position with Chelsea. Benitez guided the Blues to a third-place finish in the Premier League and lifted the Europa League earlier this month.

On Saturday, LFC TV will feature a day of programmes dedicated to the Reds' five European Cup triumphs. Find out how you can watch the club's official channel>>