 The 2005 UEFA Champions League Final was the final match of the 2004 – 05 UEFA Champions League , Europe 's primary club football competition . The showpiece event was contested between Liverpool of England and Milan of Italy at the Atatürk Stadium in Istanbul , Turkey on 25 May 2005 . Liverpool , who had won the competition four times , were appearing in their sixth final , and their first since 1985 . Milan , who had won the competition six times , were appearing in their second final in three years and tenth overall . 
