The City of Istanpool

By Chris O'Keefe

In relative terms, considering Liverpool's status in the modern game at the moment, this could be Liverpool's greatest triumph.

Who do they have to thank? Great players, sure they have played out of their skins. The manager? Shrewd tactician and magician when it comes to pulling off the unexpected.

The answer is probably none of the above. The real answer is those who pay to watch their idols and back them to beat anyone when others doubt their credentials.

The fans of Liverpool Football Club have lived up to the great reputation they have earned over many years. Although it some cases it is argueable that they have surpassed those great atmosphere's of the past.

Juventus captain Alessandro Del Piero came off the pitch and said to Ian Rush that he had never experienced an atmosphere like it and he was leading some of Europe's finest players as their Serie A position confirms.

They could get to Juventus, but could they get into Chelsea? The ice cool exterior didn't look ruffled but as Phil Thompson said after the game at Stamford Bridge, "He's a politician."

Mourinho might have been wondering what he could do to stop Liverpool on their march to the final. As for his players who were the rasons for the Blues success this season, some went missing.

Arjen Robben, the danger man in so many opinions, was conspicuous in his absence from the action at Anfield. Didier Drogba was carrying his price tag like a ball and chain as he looked shackled by the Liverpool defence and Joe Cole suffered the ignominity of being substituted at Anfield.

Frank Lampard and John Terry had little impact on the game in their respective positions. Lampard's lack of contribution was more detremental to Chelsea as they needed a catalyst to combat the waves of noise that drowned them out.

The secret was Liverpool's twelfth man.

Anfield was rocking, even at 6.50pm. I entered around an hour before kick off. When I went to watch the Chelsea team warm up in front of me before the game, at least 20,000 fans were already inside the ground.

As for the game itself it was louder than I could ever imagine and I will wager a significant amount of money that it was as loud as Anfield will ever remember. I recorded the game to watch back and I can honestly say every time I play back the Garcia goal, the noise from the celebration is not half as loud as from the stadium itself.

It will stand personally as one of the greatest moments of my life and possibly the finest to date. Funnily enough all I can remember before the goal is that a woman sat behind had spilt water on my programme. I was a bit peeved afterwards, but it was worth the sacrifice to se Liverpool fans absolutely jumping all over the stands for joy.

I have every reason to beleive that Istanbul will be no different. There will be at least 20,000 fans cheering on Liverpool but the noise will make that number feel three times as large. AC Milan should be weary of Liverpool, that's true! However, it should not just be the team sheet. It will be those in the stands that kick and head every ball with their heroes in red.

I won't predict anything with certainty, only because I'm superstitious when it comes to this club. However, the feeling is nothing less than confident.