Indeed, almost exactly six months prior – and mere weeks before Rafael Benitez's side went on to raise silverware in Istanbul – Andrew Johnson's first-half poacher's goal had proven enough to settle a Premier League encounter between the two sides.

Unfortunately for Palace on that occasion, a seventh top-flight win of the campaign took Palace outside of the relegation zone, but was to prove their last of the season.

Three consecutive draws to close 2004/05, including two triggered by late concessions, saw Iain Dowie's Eagles relegated by the margin of a solitary point.

Yet that only served to make the League Cup meeting between the two teams six months later all the more remarkable.

Liverpool had reached the Final of the competition the previous season, falling 3-2 after extra-time to

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