Gerrard claimed AC Milan were celebrating victory at half-time in the 2005 final in Istanbul when they led Liverpool 3-0.

But Rossoneri coach Ancelotti hit back, telling The Sun: "There's only one word to describe what Gerrard says about our so-called celebrations - Bulls***!

"We lost our heads in those six minutes when we let Liverpool come back from 3-0 down. But what we actually did at half-time was to tell ourselves there were 45 minutes to go and we needed to carry on playing as we were."

Gerrard's accusations have also been denied by midfielder Rino Gattuso, who was branded "a kitten" in the Liverpool captain's autobiography.

Gattuso fumed: "If Gerrard says I am a kitten then I must be an ugly, bearded kitten.

"But I will not respond to these provocations. Gerrard's a great player and my only answer to him will be on the pitch.

"The memory of Istanbul is a motivation for all of us. Many lies were said after the game.

"The Liverpool players said we partied after 45 minutes and that hurts me. It gives me the rage and the energy to play them again. What they said just didn't happen."

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