Former Liverpool Star Expresses Regret Over His Anfield Departure – “A Huge Disappointment”

For many footballers, lifting the Champions League trophy is the peak moment in their careers. But for Antonio Núñez, that unforgettable night in Istanbul came with an unexpected sense of incompleteness. In an interview with Flashscore, the former Liverpool winger reflects on his season at Anfield, his relationship with Rafael Benítez and why leaving the club so soon after achieving European glory remains one of his biggest regrets in world football.

Núñez arrived at Liverpool in the summer of 2004 as part of the deal that saw Michael Owen join Real Madrid. Expectations were high, even though injuries limited his playing opportunities throughout the season. Despite this, Núñez remained involved in Liverpool's incredible run in the Champions League, making nine appearances in the competition, including key games against Olympiacos, Bayer Leverkusen, Juventus and Chelsea before the famous final against AC Milan.

Reflecting on what happened afterward, his feelings remained clear. “Leaving Liverpool was a big disappointment,” he said. He continued: "I went to Celta and spent three good years there. I played in La Liga, in the UEFA Cup and experienced a lot of good things, but leaving Liverpool was a big disappointment. You're still young and it's one of the first times you have to face something like that."

For fans, Istanbul marked the start of one of Liverpool's great eras under Rafael Benítez. For Núñez personally, it marked the end of his Anfield journey before it truly flourished. Núñez recalled that Liverpool entered the 2004/05 Champions League competition with little hope of lifting the trophy. "There's no doubt we're not favourites, far from it. Liverpool have gone many years without winning the European Cup. Historically it's a great European club, but it wants to be the greatest again."

He also described the optimism surrounding Rafael Benítez's arrival from Valencia. "It was something we felt as soon as we arrived. There was great hope that Benítez would turn Liverpool back into an important team in Europe." According to Núñez, everything changed against Olympiacos. "The game was very important because we were almost knocked out. We had to win by two goals and started 1-0 down. Then we scored three goals and it was incredible."

Since then, Liverpool's confidence has continued to grow, although domestic performance continues to fluctuate. "The team started to believe in themselves in the Champions League. In the league, things weren't going well. We weren't even in the top four and couldn't get good results. But in Europe, somehow, we had confidence, kept going in every round and were getting more and more confident." He also admitted that luck played a role. “We found ourselves in the final without expecting it.”

More than two decades later, that Champions League final still resonates with football fans around the world. "Just a few days ago we celebrated his birthday. Twenty-one years have passed. It was an incredible night that will never be forgotten." Núñez believes his appeal extends beyond Liverpool fans. "Everyone who talks to me about that match remembers exactly where they watched it. It doesn't matter whether they are English, Spanish or from somewhere else. Everyone remembers that final."


One myth he wants to clear up is about the infamous time-out in the first half. "People have asked me what Benítez said at half-time more times than I have ever in my life. The other day I watched a documentary on Netflix and I thought Steven Gerrard or Jamie Carragher said the same thing." On the contrary, he admits that his thoughts are much darker. "I always say I know what it's like to lose a Champions League final because I feel like I've already lost. And I also know what it's like to win one."

"When I went into the dressing room I felt like I had lost the final. Milan were so much better than us. You almost expected them to score three more goals in the second half and make it a historic humiliation." He rejected the story about an emotional speech. “I have heard epic speeches and famous phrases that have never been said.” According to Antonio Núñez, Rafael Benítez's composure proved more valuable than dramatic motivational speeches. "The belief that Benítez conveyed was fundamental. Just the way he spoke to us and how calm he was made a big difference. He believed in the comeback and didn't act as if the game was already lost."

Instead of accepting defeat, Liverpool players focused on tactical solutions. "It wasn't a dressing room where everyone sat in silence with their heads down. There was constant activity and a real desire to sort out what was wrong."

“There were some tactical corrections.” He also recalled one memorable moment involving Steve Finnan and Djimi Traoré. "First he brought in Djimi Traoré, but then Finnan had a problem. Traoré had already started to take off his clothes and was in the bathroom when someone called him back and told him to get dressed again." When Liverpool returned for the second half, confidence had replaced desperation. “I can't explain it, but somehow we all came out feeling as if we were only 1-0 down.”

As the momentum shifted, Núñez felt the impossible becoming a reality. "The first goal changes everything. You suddenly feel that the rain is not so heavy anymore. Then the second goal gives you incredible confidence. At that moment, nothing can stop you." Asked whether Liverpool won the final or Milan lost, the opinions remained even. “I would say it's 50-50.”

"We went out with the perfect mentality because we refused to give up. But Milan believed they were already champions. They went into the dressing room celebrating and came back out just waiting for the 45 minutes to pass." "When you already have the trophy in hand and suddenly you're level and facing a penalty, you have a greater chance of losing than winning. Psychologically, it's very difficult to recover from that."

As time has gone by, the disappointment of leaving Liverpool has lessened somewhat, although it has never gone away. “As the years go by, you learn to accept all of this better.” Reflecting on an 18-year career filled with ups and downs, Núñez offers one final observation that aptly sums up football itself. "Football is a rollercoaster. If you are lucky enough to play for 17 or 18 years, you will experience everything, promotion, relegation and, if you are very lucky, also titles.