This time in the Olympic Stadium, Liverpool could only manage silver.

Beaten 2-1 by an AC Milan side many claim should not have been in the competition because of their part in Italian football's corruption.

But beaten, too, by a team of worthy footballers, some wonderful, some gritty, but all who play the game with a hint of panache.

At the end Kaka, the world's greatest footballer, slumped to his knees in the centre circle and prayed to the heavens.

The rest of Milan, it seemed, engulfed two-goal Filippo Inzaghi in a human white duvet of delirium while Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard stood hands on hips in resignation.

No, it was not a classic final, but nor was it a sterile much-ado-about-nothing encounter such as had been served up by Chelsea and Manchester United in the FA Cup final on Saturday.

There was even a hint of a wondrous finale when Dirk Kuyt headed a late goal to send Milan hearts fluttering.

But this final will be remembered for its passion and commitment, epitomised by one mighty collision between Gennaro Gattuso and John Arne Riise which neither man shirked but which earned Gattuso a yellow card.

Gattuso is the 'Chopper Harris' of Milan but a mighty effective destroyer of an opposing team's rhythm.

He had not taken kindly to Gerrard's assertion, in his autobiography, that Milan had begun to party when they were 3-0 up at half-time in 2005.

No chance of that this time. This Liverpool side is a tighter, meaner, more organised side, reflecting two years of Benitez influence.

A team built more for power than adventure, perhaps, but that was not apparent in the first half when they went in one down but shaded the action.

Jermaine Pennant should have given them the lead, but his weak shot was easily blocked by Dida. Dirk Kuyt and Xabi Alonso also went close.

Milan were not at their fluent best despite one delicious drag-back and spin from Kaka which left Riise floundering.

But the margins are fine in such matches and when Alonso bundled over Kaka on the edge of the area just before half-time there was a ripple of apprehension in the Liverpool ranks.

The free-kick was soft, no question about that, but the type often given in Europe.

Andrea Pirlo, a master of the dead-ball craft, stepped up but his curling shot would not have troubled Jose Reina if it had not been deflected into the net by the upper arm of Filippo Inzaghi.

Inzaghi is often looked upon as the man who fails to deliver in the big games but it was his 37th goal in 66 Champions League matches. Not bad for a so-called nearly man, even if this time the final touch was down more to luck than talent.

How often such moments of fate determine the outcome of sport at this level.

It was cruel on Liverpool, but they were only 1-0 down at half-time. Nothing for a club which somehow had found light in the darkness of a three-goal deficit in Istanbul. How they needed their '12th man,' the description which so many of their old boys had given to the Anfield supporters. Those fans had formed a river of red around the Athens streets all day, braving a monsoon downpour in the afternoon to unfurl their flags and banners.

'If you can't love us, then fear us,' was a recurring theme.

Strange that, they seemed to have forgotten that Milan had already won it six times and stood second only to Real Madrid in the pantheon of European greats.

In truth Gerrard should have supplied the equaliser when he sprang clear, opened up his body to slide the ball past Dida but only succeeded in passing it into the arms of the Milan goalkeeper.

Nine times out of 10 Gerrard would convert such a chance in clinical fashion. Unfortunately this was the 10th.

Another Gerrard effort whizzed just wide but Milan always seemed in control and the match was tied up when Inzaghi slid home his second and his 38th Champions League goal after an exquisite through ball from Kaka.

So Milan are kings of Europe for the seventh time - and surely not even the most one-eyed Scouser could deny them their victory.