Xabi Alonso has revealed he had never taken a penalty before converting from the spot in Liverpool's famous come-from-behind victory over AC Milan in the 2005 Champions League final.

The Spaniard, who recently retired from a glittering career with the Reds, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, scored the equalising penalty after Liverpool recovered from a 3-0 deficit at half-time.

Alonso's effort was the first professional penalty of his career, and it very nearly went awry when Dida saved his initial effort. Fortunately for the midfielder, he was able to smash home the rebound.

Liverpool completed the historic comeback by defeating Milan 4-3 on penalties.

"Seriously, I'd never taken one before," he told Four Four Two.

"I look at pictures of me about to take the penalty and all I can see is my face wracked with tension and responsibility. Were it not for that rebound, my Liverpool story might have been very different!

"It was pretty stressful. Rafa told me before the final that if we won a penalty, I would take it, as Steven Gerrard had missed one against Spurs. What did I say? Nothing. I had to take it.

"At half-time it was the worst scenario. We had to score three goals against Alessandro Nesta, Paolo Maldini, Jaap Stam and Cafu. Some of the guys said, "We need to fight". Others were saying, "How can we be so bad?"

"The rest is history, as we made the most incredible comeback. Miracles can happen in football."