Extra-time failed to separate the teams with the scores locked at 3-3 -- this after Milan had led 3-0 -- and Jerzy Dudek saved spot-kicks from Andriy Shevchenko and Andrea Pirlo to seal Liverpool's fifth European triumph and complete the greatest comeback in the tournament's history.

Paolo Maldini, playing in his seventh final, gave Milan the lead after just 50 seconds before a double strike by Hernan Crespo appeared to have comfortably wrapped up the contest before half-time.

But Liverpool responded with courage and determination, erasing Milan's superiority in a mesmerising six-minute spell after the restart with goals from Steven Gerrard, substitute Vladimir Smicer, on his farewell appearance for the club, and Xabi Alonso, the Spanish midfielder following up after Nelson Dida had saved his penalty.

Milan's crushing defeat left them without a trophy, having been pipped to the Italian league title by Juventus last Friday.

Liverpool coach Rafa Benitez said Gerrard's goal early in the second half which made it 3-1 was the turning point.

"Steve's goal changed everything," he said. "We started believing in ourselves and then when the second goal went in we could really feel our supporters getting behind us."

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti was dumbfounded as to how his team threw away a match that was practically in the bag.

"It was a strange game, very strange. We had six minutes of madness that complicated things," he said.

"I thought after Liverpool pulled it back to 3-3 there was only one team in it. We created lots of opportunities and didn't take our chances.

"We played a great final and we didn't deserved to lose. The players ought to feel proud and although I'm unhappy, we lost with honour."

Benitez sprung a major surprise by selecting Harry Kewell ahead of the vastly experienced German Dietmar Hamman in midfield.

Kewell, an Australia international, has struggled to hold down a regular place this season due to injuries and a loss of form.

Crespo, whose goals put Manchester United out in the last 16, got the nod ahead of Filippo Inzaghi to partner Shevchenko up front.

Milan enjoyed the perfect start, taking the lead with less than a minute on the clock.

Djimi Traore fouled Kaka wide on the right and Andrea Pirlo curled the resulting free-kick into the box. The ball fell nicely for Maldini, at 36 the oldest man to score in the European Cup final, whose right-footed shot into the ground flew over the outstretched fingertips of Dudek and into the top corner.

The previous fastest goal in a European Cup final was scored by Enrique Mateos in the 1959 final for Real Madrid and was clocked at one minute, but there is no exact recording.

Liverpool reacted positively with two chances in quick succession. John Arne Riise's powerful drive was charged down and seconds later a towering header by Sami Hyypia was smothered on the goalline by Dida.

Luis Garcia cleared Crespo's header off the line with his chest before Kewell pulled up with a hamstring injury and was replaced by Smicer.

Shevchenko had a goal ruled out for offside before Milan doubled their advantage in the 39th minute.

Kaka's beautifully-chipped pass found Shevchenko pulling out to the right and his low cross to the back post was slotted home by Crespo.

Worse was to follow for Liverpool as Crespo doubled his tally a minute from the interval, chasing Kaka's exquisite 30-yard pass and clipping the ball past the advancing Dudek.

Dudek pulled off a stunning save at full stretch to keep out Shevchenko's 20-yarder before the inspirational Gerrard gave his side a glimmer of hope, his flicked header from Riise's left wing cross finding the far corner in the 54th minute.

That glimmer shone brighter two minutes later as Smicer's 25-yard piledriver screamed into the net off Dida's despairing fingertips.

The fightback was completed on the hour when Gennaro Gattuso fouled Gerrard to concede a penalty, and although Dida palmed away the Spaniard's first effort he was powerless to stop the rebound.

Crespo had a golden opportunity to restore Milan's lead and claim a hat-trick 10 minutes from time, but rather than shoot after being put clear by Shevchenko, he unselfishly tried to tee up Kaka and the chance went begging.

Shevchenko almost nicked it for Milan three minutes from the dreaded penalty shoot out, but an incredible double save from Dudek left the European Footballer of the Year with his head in his hands.

The normally reliable Shevchenko, who scored the winning penalty against Juventus in 2003, then missed the decisive spot-kick in a gripping finale and Liverpool jumped for joy.

Dietmar Hamann, Djibril Cisse and Smicer scored for Liverpool while Kaka and John Daal Tomasson were on target for Milan.