Istanbul round two! Former Liverpool and AC Milan stars will meet as managers in AFC Champions League final 19 years after the famous European clash

19 years on from the 2005 Champions League final, two players who started that game will now face each other as managers in another major final.

Liverpool famously came back from three goals down against AC Milan before winning on penalties in Istanbul.

Now a former Liverpool star and an ex-AC Milan player will do battle as managers in the AFC Champions League final. 

Yokohoma F. Marinos will face Al Ain in a two-legged affair, with the first game taking place in Yokohama on May 11. 

Al-Ain will be the hosts for the second leg on May 25.

Former Liverpool star Harry Kewell is making impressive progress in his managerial career.

Kewell played for Liverpool between 2003 and 2008 – he made 139 appearances for the club and scored 16 goals. 

During his time at Anfield, Kewell won the Champions League in 2005 and the FA Cup the following year.

After retiring from playing, Kewell commenced his coaching career and had spells in charge of Crawley, Notts County, Oldham and Barnet.

Kewell took charge of Yokohoma F. Marinos at the end of 2023 and has now guided the Japanese club to the final of the AFC Champions League, organised by the Asian Football Confederation.

The winner of the competition will secure a place in the 2025 Club World Cup, which is set to take place in the United States next year.

Kewell’s side beat Bangkok United in the round of 16 and then overcame Shandong Taishan in the quarter-finals. Next up was a clash against Ulsan Hyundai in the semi-finals, and Yokohoma F. Marinos managed to prevail as they won 5-4 on penalties after the game finished 3-3 on aggregate.

Yokohoma F. Marinos are now through to the final, where they will take on Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates.

Al Ain are managed by former AC Milan forward Hernan Crespo.

Kewell and Crespo both started in the famous 2005 Champions League final in Istanbul.

Liverpool had to withdraw Kewell after just 23 minutes after he suffered an injury. 

Crespo scored twice to add to Paolo Maldini’s early goal as Milan established a three-goal lead.

However, Liverpool produced an incredible turnaround, with Steven Gerrard, Vladimir Smicer and Xabi Alonso all scoring to send the game to extra-time.

Liverpool won 3-2 in the penalty shootout in one of the most memorable Champions  League finals of all time.