The tension mounts inside the ground as the teams are announced - Rafael Benitez gives Jermaine Pennant a start

The Olympic Stadium is awash with red, despite Liverpool only receiving a fraction of the official ticket allocation

Steven Gerrard finally leads his side out past the trophy as Liverpool continue their quest for a sixth European title

Dirk Kuyt and Paolo Maldini tangle early on as Liverpool find holes in the Milan defence in the opening stages

Pennant shoots across the face of the goal and forces a save from Milan keeper Dida as Liverpool exploit space on the right

Liverpool manage to tie down Pippo Inzaghi and Kaka as Milan struggle to create any telling chances at the other end

But Milan are awarded a free-kick on the stroke of half-time, after Xabi Alonso fouls Kaka on the edge of the box

Andrea Pirlo's free-kick deflects off Inzaghi and into the net, giving Milan the lead against the run of play in Athens

A lucky deflection or not, Inzaghi claims the goal and Milan celebrate snatching the initiative

The disappointment shows on Gerrard's face as Liverpool trail going into the break despite enjoying the best of the first half

Benitez brings on Harry Kewell for Bolo Zenden as Liverpool struggle to get back on terms in the second half

Gerrard works Dida in the Milan goal but Liverpool fail to convert chances and the clock keeps ticking down

Inzaghi doesn't make the same mistake and collects Kaka's neat pass to slide home past Pepe Reina

Inzaghi's second goal looks to have settled matters and finally laid to rest Milan's memories from Istanbul in 2005

Dirk Kuyt gives desperate Liverpool fans hope when he heads home from a flicked-on corner in the final minutes

But the final whistle dispels any hopes of a dramatic last-minute fightback from Liverpool

Kaka show his relief at holding off Liverpool as the celebrations start for the Milan fans in Athens

Veteran captain Paolo Maldini holds the Champions League trophy aloft and the party continues for AC Milan