Those who know me well would appreciate the fact that as a first I am going to publish an article on Liverpool's successful 2004-05 season. No further comment needed. But here you go, just as we get to know who will play this year's Champions League final - the best way to confer last year's ultimate fixture to the history books.
This is taken from the last issue of Anfield Island, the Liverpool Supporters Club (Malta) magazine. Thanks to Jean Paul...
Shankly used to call the league our bread and butter. Then the gentleman Roy Evans claimed that Anfield without European football is like a banquet without red wine. Lately, our banquet, the hollowed turf of Anfield along with its stands produced more than its fair share of wine. From its fierce red one to the mellower white one. One thing is for sure though, it’s been unique, different, making UEFA’s claim of Liverpool being a ‘club without country’ more credible by every day it passes.
Last year for a start was exceptional and totally unexpected after the previous season of poor harvest which only produced enough grapes to qualify for the higher European club in the very last minute. In May, the wine matured into champagne with a sweet, sweet taste – which I’ve never so tasted myself before.
Metaphors and analogies apart, European football has always been a rich part of Liverpool’s folklore. May 25th remains etched in every Liverpudlian’s heart and the glow that emanated from that glorious day carried on and on.
It gave a spring to our step, and a pride that personally I hadn’t experienced. This year’s campaign started well albeit more than a little bit early, and it would appear that the squad is now beginning to pay.
The group stages started smoothly enough with a victory away in Seville against Real Betis. Then Chelsea called at Anfield, and we had a share of the spoils and so on. For the first time, Liverpool won their group and qualification was ensured on the fifth match rather than in the eleventh hour.
The memories of that night in May echoed and echoed around Anfield, the length and breadth of the country and in the far flung cities that the UEFA draw reserved for us.
The belief came back and personally I believed every word I sung when Paris and six times were mentioned.
Along with the belief, responsibility, pressure and expectations followed. The draw reserved Benfica from Lisbon, Portugal. Another club with a European pedigree, a rich footballing history and boasting the great Eusebio as one of their legends. The onus, as holders and favourites was this time on Liverpool’s side with the underdog tag going the opposite side.
Two weeks after the first encounter, Liverpool found themselves with the onus to attack going into the home leg one goal down. It wasn’t exactly a formality, but as said before along with the belief, the expectations were to turn the tie and advance another stage to Paris.
Appetites were whetted for the wine, which makes a change from the usual draught beer. The vocal chords were more than lubricated and the atmosphere something to write home about, with the original banners remembering Liverpool’s history, having a dig at the no-marks and looking with optimism for the bright future.
Wave after wave of attack by the men in red accompanied the atmosphere, but the targeted net refused to bulge. The opposite one did though which left the task even harder.
In face of such adversity the atmosphere grew thicker and the wall of sound taller.
Once again the targeted net refused to bulge. The atmosphere though refused to subdue. European nights last year got the best out of the Liverpool players. The same can be said of the fans. The manager’s name echoed around Anfield and it didn’t go unnoticed. A bond was strengthened in times of trouble and the recipient is more than appreciative.
With talk of money (or lack of it) once again rising at the fore, trust seems to be the overriding factor. The much loved boss knows that talk of an open cheque book is out of question. But he is not looking for it either. He is a man of integrity and above all trust. The thought alone reassures me.
‘The most positive thing for me this week was the reaction of our supporters after the Benfica game. They were the winners. When you're losing at home it's difficult, but for them to sing my name and applaud the other team is amazing.’
The wine cellars will only wait a couple of months to resume their service at Anfield.
