10 Memorable Liverpool Goals Scored By Ordinary Players

By Michael Ramsay /

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2. Vladimir Smicer vs AC Milan; May 2005

Who knows what Vladimir Smicer could have been at Anfield were it not for his injury demons? With his niggling injuries meaning that he found it hard to find a rhythm or semblance of consistency at the club, the Czech international found it hard to nail down a regular starting berth at the club during his six year spell at Anfield. It didn't stop him from having some memorable moments however, such as a last-minute winner against Chelsea in 2002 or the incredulous volley against Borussia Dortmund. What will be written on his career tombstone however was the most important goal he has ever contributed - on the 23rd May 2005. The setting was Istanbul, and the world remembers it as one of the most thrilling Champions League finals to have ever occurred, thanks in no small part to the contribution of the diminutive Czech. What was so impressive about Smicer's performance in the final was that prior to the game, it had been decided that the 32 year old's contract at the club was not to be renewed.
''Before the final, I so was eager to get on. It was my last match for Liverpool so I was determined to end it in style. I was free in my head and that was my motivation - to do well for the club in my last match. I wanted to enjoy the big game.'' - Vladimir Smicer, May 2005.
Following Harry Kewell's first-half injury, Smicer was brought on and despite the Scousers soon going 3-0 down, once Steven Gerrard nodded home a cross in the second half, the Czech midfielder almost immediately rifled home a 20 yarder into the bottom corner of Brazilian goalkeeper Dida's net. Xabi Alonso would tie the game up with a rebounded penalty six minutes later, before Liverpool won their fifth European Cup on spot-kicks in the most unlikely circumstances an hour later. Oh, and Smicer scored his penalty too. Not a bad way to bring the curtain down on an Anfield career.