Episode 14 – 2005–06: The Gerrard Final

In Episode 14 of You’ll Never Pod Alone, we move from the miracle of Istanbul into a season of evolution, reinvention, and another unforgettable moment in Liverpool history.

The 2005–06 campaign marks Rafa Benítez’s second season, and this time Liverpool build — not dream. New arrivals such as Pepe Reina, Momo Sissoko, Bolo Zenden, and Peter Crouch reshape the squad, with Steven Gerrard rejecting Chelsea in the summer to continue leading the club he loves.

Liverpool improve dramatically in the Premier League, recording their highest points total of the modern era up to that point and smashing club defensive records, including 11 consecutive clean sheets. Reina becomes a wall, Carragher turns into a cult hero, and Gerrard reaches his peak powers.

But the campaign is defined by one date:

13 May 2006 — Cardiff.
The FA Cup Final.
Liverpool vs West Ham.

West Ham lead 3–2. Gerrard is cramping, exhausted, barely able to move.
Then, in stoppage time, from 35 yards…

THUNDERSTRIKE.

3–3. One of the greatest goals in FA Cup history.
Penalties. Reina saves three.
Liverpool lift the trophy.

The match is instantly nicknamed:

> “The Gerrard Final.”



In this episode:
🔥 A month-by-month breakdown of the season
🧠 How Rafa’s tactical evolution transformed Liverpool
🧤 Reina’s arrival and the new defensive backbone
⭐ Player focus: Gerrard, Carragher, Alonso, and Crouch
🎬 Cultural rewind to 2005–06 (Batman Begins, Pon de Replay, Lost, Nokia bricks*)
🏆 Full retelling of the FA Cup Final — emotion, commentary, goosebumps

Liverpool didn’t rely on miracles this year.

They relied on a legend.

Because whether it’s Istanbul or Cardiff…
You’ll Never Pod Alone.