ENTHRALLING FourFourTwoSTIRRING Dublin HeraldFASCINATING Red and White KopASTONISHING Bleacher ReportThe Sunday Times BestsellerTwentieth anniversary edition, fully updated with a new foreword from Rafael BenitezWhen Rafael Benitez was appointed manager of under-achieving Liverpool at the start of the 2004-05 season, the reaction of many fans was Who the **** is Rafael Benitez?. After a wonderful spell at Valencia, the Spaniard arrived to take over Liverpools famous Boot Room, determined to change the clubs fortunes and win over a disillusioned Kop.In just one season, Benitezs importation of Spanish players, coaching methods and diet led to a revolution, usurping José Mourinhos Chelsea to reach the European Champions League final in Istanbul. It was a match that would go down in history as one of the greatest of all time.At half-time, Liverpool were 3-0 down to Carlo Ancelottis AC Milan, a team many regarded as the best in the world, filled with stars such as Paolo Maldini, Kaká and Andrea Pirlo. However, against all the odds, Liverpool produced a stunning comeback, with goals from club captain Steven Gerrard, Vladimir Šmicer and Xabi Alonso, before a dramatic penalty shoot-out saw the Reds clinch European glory.Featuring exclusive interviews with Benitez himself, assistant manager Pako Ayestarán and key first-team players, this is the behind-the-scenes story of Rafas remarkable success with Liverpool.
