PHOTO - REUTERS.

successes in the F.A. and Worthington Cups, to the club‘s technical and medical staff.

But he said the way the players had responded to conceding goals at crucial times in the match had seen them through to a victory that will be remembered for a long time. „Sometimes in a match confidence can slip away when you concede a goal at a bad time, like when Alaves scored in the last minute,“ said the French coach. „But when the golden-goal period started we were ready for penalties, ready for anything. „I told the players they were playing for the history of this great club and they‘ve done it because we hadn‘t won a European trophy in 17 years. „But they‘ve also won themselves a place in history. A final like this, with nine goals, doesn‘t happen every day and it will be remembered for a long time.“

Houllier paid tribute to the fans during the difficult times as he relished the feeling of winning a treble. „There has always been a special relationship between the fans and this club and that dates back to the Shankly era. „Tonight I feel we‘ve repaid them for all the support they‘ve given us.“ Houllier also found time to praise Alaves for making the final such a memorable occasion. „They were absolutely brilliant,“ he said. „To come back from two goals down twice was spectacular.“

REUTERS