Liverpool won the 2004–05 UEFA Champions League, defeating Italian team A.C. Milan 3–2 in a penalty shoot-out after the match had finished 3–3.

CSKA Moscow won the 2004–05 UEFA Cup, beating Portuguese team Sporting CP 3–1.

[9] CSKA captain Sergei Ignashevich underlined his team's determined mood: "We know their players are very strong because they won the Champions League.

"[9] Likewise Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard was equally determined to be successful: "This is the opportunity to win another trophy.

CSKA striker Ivica Olić, the top scorer in Russia at the time, was sidelined with a serious knee injury.

However, fellow CSKA striker Vágner Love was said by manager Valery Gazzaev to have "no problems" over his leg injury.

11 minutes after the start of the match Luis García was put through on goal from a pass by Hamann, but before he could shoot, Akinfeev had smothered the ball.

[13] It was not until the 36th minute that Liverpool created another goalscoring opportunity, however García and Steve Finnan both failed to score.

[7] Towards the end of the half, Zenden was shown a yellow card for a late tackle on Chidi Odiah.

[14] Liverpool's poor play in front of goal continued after the restart;[12] Josemi had a chance to score, but his shot from the edge of the penalty area went over the crossbar.

[7] After the attack, Liverpool made the first substitution of the match; Florent Sinama Pongolle replaced Finnan.

[14] Vágner Love had a chance to extend CSKA's lead in the 77th minute, but he was unable to control the ball after a high pass and lost possession.

[7] Despite their lead CSKA were negative in their play;[12] they were punished when Liverpool replaced John Arne Riise with striker Djibril Cissé.

His subsequent shot was saved by Akinfeev, but the ball rebounded to Cissé who scored to give Liverpool a 2–1 lead.

[7] Liverpool responded midway through the half; Cissé's cross from the right side of the pitch was met by García, who scored.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez was happy with his players after they had come from behind to win the match: "It was a difficult game.

With five days of the transfer window left, Benítez refused to speculate on whether Liverpool would sign Michael Owen, stating, "I like good players, we have a lot of them here.

[16] Despite Cissé's two goals, there had been speculation linking Liverpool with re-signing Michael Owen, who had left the club for Real Madrid a year earlier.