Liverpool - 5 things that come to mind

Liverpool Football Club. So far in the 21st century, it has not been a club for fans of relentless and ruthless success – yet few clubs inspire romance, unity, and power of hope the way Liverpool does. In this regard, Liverpool’s vast global following in itself speaks volumes - considering the kind of monetary might and silverware haul some of their counterparts have enjoyed over the years.

For a fan, a neutral or even a rival, these are 5 things that are likely to immediately spring to mind when one thinks of “Liverpool”:

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#5 Anfield

Anfield is one of the most intimidating places in the world for a visiting team to play football

“I sat there watching the Liverpool fans and they sent shivers down my spine. A mass of 40,000 people became one force behind their team. That’s something not many teams have. For that, I admire Liverpool more than anything.” – Johan Cruyff

Anfield is one of the most intimidating places in the world for a visiting team to play football. After Dortmund’s capitulation in the Europa league quarterfinals in April 2016, a shellshocked Thomas Tuchel admitted he had no tactical or logical reasoning for the comeback. “When Liverpool equalized perhaps there was a change in belief in the stadium and perhaps a feeling that it was meant to be,” said Tuchel.

European nights at Anfield have become the stuff of legend. In the league, too, Liverpool’s recent title challenge in 2013-14 provided a timely reminder of the sheer power Anfield vests when roused to its full potential.

#4 Anthem

'You'll Never Walk Alone' is perhaps the most famous song in football

On 7 April 2016, fans of Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund combined for a spine-tingling rendition of ‘You'll Never Walk Alone’ ahead of their Europa League quarterfinal. Later, the clubs shared the FIFA Fan Award at the Best FIFA Football ceremony in Zurich for that precise moment.

‘You'll Never Walk Alone’ is perhaps the most famous song in football. The story of Kopites adopting the No.1 hit from local band ‘Gerry and the Pacemakers’ dates back to the 1960s. Other clubs around the world including Celtic and BVB have also adopted the anthem.

YNWA exemplifies the undying hope and belief that lies at the very heart of Liverpool Football Club and its fans, and epitomizes all that is good about the Liverpool community.

#3 History

The Liverpool team of the 70s and 80s were a fearsome prospect

18 First Division Titles. 7 FA Cups. 5 Champions Leagues.

In England, Liverpool’s trophy cabinet is second only to Manchester United. With a considerable fraction of United’s success having come under Sir Alex Ferguson in the 21st century, it tends to be forgotten how good Liverpool were in the 1970s and 80s.

Liverpool’s history should serve as a glorious reference for its present to strive to emulate – but instead, it has been casting an unwelcome shadow.

“History is only the base for us”, said Jurgen Klopp, in his first press conference as Liverpool manager. “It is all the people are interested in but you don’t take history in your backpack and carry it with you for 25 years.”

When you think of Liverpool, it is the vintage teams of the bygone years that make an appearance instead of the identity struggle of the present. As a club, Liverpool FC needs to well and truly move on, retaining only fond memories and pride from their glorious past.

#2 Steven Gerrard

Gerrard's name has become synonymous with Liverpool FC

Captain, Leader, Legend. His name has become synonymous with LFC.

Steven George Gerrard is one of the most iconic players in English football history. Passing ability, drive, shooting prowess, tacking ability……Gerrard had it all. His recent inclusion in the UEFA Team of the Century – the only player in the team alongside Philipp Lahm not to have ever featured for Real Madrid or Barcelona – added yet another feather in an illustrious cap.

Gerrard single-handedly drove Liverpool forward for most of his Liverpool career. 2 goals and an assist against West Ham in the 2006 FA Cup final, the stunning late goal to edge Liverpool past Olympiakos to the CL knockout stages in 2004, the memorable hattrick against Everton……

Even with such an enviable gallery of highlights, Gerrard’s most famous contribution in a Liverpool shirt leaves little room for doubt………..

#1 Istanbul

The Miracle of Istanbul will be talked about for years and years

You think of Liverpool, You think of Istanbul. As simple as that.

Liverpool’s triumph over AC Milan in the 2005 CL final has since inspired countless documentaries and articles. Going down 3-0 at HT, the Liverpool players were greeted on to the pitch for the second half by an uplifting rendition of YNWA from the Liverpool fans. Not that many of them were particularly hopeful. After all, the AC Milan side of 2004/05 featured Dida, Cafu, Jaap Stam, Nesta, Maldini, Pirlo, Gattuso, Seedorf, Kaka, Shevchenko, and Crespo. Yep, that’s the complete 11. Read it again and let it sink in.

There was just one problem. One guy in a Liverpool shirt disagreed with this hierarchy. First, he scored what then felt like an innocuous header, a consolation goal to conjure traces of pride for Liverpool fans to take home. The team responded to his rallying cry, and Vladimir Smicer got the better of Dida to hand Liverpool the second goal. Minutes later, Gerrard made a run into the Milan penalty box and was brought down by Gattuso. Penalty to Liverpool, aaaand 3-3.

Years will pass by, and new stories will keep getting added in the Champions League hall of fame. Yet decades and decades later, people will still be talking about the story of a club whose players united with thousands of fans to craft a miracle – The Miracle of Istanbul.