Aiming to exorcise the ghosts of the past, Liverpool’s new generation succeeded in writing their own names into history.

Seventeen years after lifting their last European trophy, Liverpool’s name was restored into the Continental elite by clinching the UEFA Cup.

The achievements of the late 70s and early 80s remain unmatched, with four European Cups, but on a night of raw passion and tremendous character in Dortmund, their successors proved their worth and immense potential.

And as prolonged celebrations in which 17 years of pent-up frustration since their last European final appearance came pouring out, Gerard Houllier did not let the UEFA Cup trophy out of his sight once.

Normally one of life’s more natural observers, being content to let his players take the limelight while he stays on the sidelines, the Frenchman was not going to let this moment pass him by.

He remarked on the eve of the match that ‘‘what the FA Cup means to English players, Europe means to me’’, and there he was lifting the trophy, wearing a Liverpool scarf and waving a banner like the fan he once used to be.

Indeed, he still had the trophy proudly clasped in his hands as he finally walked away from the Westfalenstadion, knowing that his team had done him proud.

It was certainly not a straightforward victory. Far from it.

Then again, none of Liverpool’s three cup triumphs have been, with penalties needed to overcome Birmingham in the Worthington Cup final and a late comeback required to beat Arsenal to clinch the FA Cup.

This time, Houllier’s emotional roller-coaster of a season was summed up in 117 minutes of wildly fluctuating fortunes and frenetic action.

There were nine goals, including a dramatic late equaliser by former Manchester United striker Jordi Cruyff, two red cards in extra-time for the Spaniards and a golden goal winner just three minutes from a penalty shoot-out.

What eventually sealed it was actually an own goal, as man-of-the-match Gary McAllister sent over a free-kick which Alaves midfielder Delfi Gelli headed into his own net.

Houllier paid tribute to the spirit shown by Alaves but, as he dedicated victory to his backroom team, he sounded like a proud father as he insisted this team could be become ‘‘immortal’’.

He added: ‘‘We have written our own history for a new generation. I told the team afterwards that people will remember this great final and their part in it.’’

The game was certainly a vindication of Houllier’s insistence that his side are anything but boring, as they were accused after grinding out a goalless draw away to Barcelona an approach which the Frenchman still defends.

As it was, Liverpool came out with the same intensity and purpose that they ended the FA Cup final, with Markus Babbel heading home McAllister’s free-kick as early as the third minute.

With Michael Owen setting up Steven Gerrard for the second, Alaves were there for the taking until the Spanish side regained midfield control by changing their tactics to a back four and bringing on a striker for a defender.

Just four minutes after the arrival of that striker, Ivan Alonso, he had scored as he rose above Babbel to meet a deep cross by dangerous full-back Cosmin Contra.

Sander Westeveld saved superbly from Javi Moreno and McAllister restored Liverpool’s two-goal margin just before half-time, after Owen was brought down by keeper Martin Herrera.

And that should have been that.

However, Alaves were level within five minutes of the restart as Moreno, the leading scorer in Spanish football, struck twice, first with a header and then a free-kick which went under the jumping Liverpool wall.

‘‘Alaves were brilliant. To come back from two down to level like that was truly spectacular,’’ said Houllier.

‘‘We conceded goals that we don’t normally do from set-pieces. Maybe that was tiredness because normally we dominate situations like that.’’

Houllier took off Stephane Henchoz as ‘‘he was sinking out there and had some trouble with his calf’’, but it was the introduction of Robbie Fowler for Emile Heskey that sparked Liverpool back into life.

Fowler had been left out of the starting line-ups for two cup finals in four days, but it took him just nine minutes to put Liverpool 4-3 ahead with a twisting run and neat finish.

‘‘I had told Robbie that he would score if he was in the right frame of mind. It was a great goal, it should have been the winner,’’ added Houllier.

As it was, Cruyff equalised and set up extra-time, in which Alaves defended in numbers as, especially after the loss of first Magno and then Antonio Karmona, each for two bookings, they tried to play for penalties.

Their late own goal undid them, but Alaves coach Jose Manuel Esnal praised his team as ‘‘heroes’’ and added: ‘‘To have come back from 2-0 down against a side as good as Liverpool was magnificent.’’

Liverpool, as well, refused to give up victory without a tremendous fight. Indeed, that spirit and character has been the most notable quality of this team in their pursuit of their cup treble.

They still need to finish off the season the right way, by qualifying for the Champions League with a win against Charlton on Saturday.

However, they have already achieved so much this season, in winning two domestic cups and, crucially, making Liverpool a European force again with wins against Roma and Barcelona en route to the final.

As one banner in Dortmund so neatly put it: ‘‘Wanted - extra trophy space. Contact Gerard on Treble ’01.’’