It was written in the stars. The only team in the world allowed to play with 12 players facing off against a multi-million dollar machine.

Liverpool’s 12th player, the Kop, were playing the most important role for Rafa Benitez – elevation and motivation for the 11 men on the field, non-stop for 90 minutes and beyond. And they followed Rafa’s instructions excellently. “Roar us to the finals,” he asked – and they passionately obliged!

The Reds had their work cut out before kick-off; their target, to score two goals and not concede. And they came out the brighter of the two sides, the players seemingly floating on the harmonious tunes of the Anfield faithful – and portraying guts, will and determination which proved the deciding factors on the night.

Steven Gerrard was pure class, exuberance personified, and brought closure on the Gerrard/Frank Lampard debate once and for all. Lampard is far behind him in almost every department and last night was the official proof.

The free-kick that led to the goal was something the players had no doubt practised on numerous occasions at the training ground, and Daniel Agger’s finish was one that Peter Crouch or Dirk Kuyt would have been proud of. Agger took his chance brilliantly – his perfect placement beating ‘the’ wall that is Petr Cech. And that is no easy task.

The Liverpool goal was an ice-cold glass of water on the Chelsea players and it seemed to shock them into action. Attack after attack ensued, but the Liverpool backline thwarted them all successfully. Eventually, when the home defence was temporarily breached and Didier Drogba shot at goal, Pepe Reina had him covered and was on hand (excuse the pun) to protect his goal.

Kuyt worked tirelessly and was unlucky to see a goal disallowed and a shot come off the crossbar. But his hard work and determination would not go without reward. He was asked to take the penalty that would take the Reds to their second Champions League Final in three years – and he fired them to Athens and deservedly earned screaming cheers from the bursting-through-the-seams Anfield crowd.

The Anfield ambiance is the best in the world and I truly believe that there is none to match it. The passion, the wit, the intensity of their support, remains unmatched. Hearing Chelsea fans singing the word ‘Chelsea’ in two tunes all night was as monotonous as their 4-5-1 formation, while the Kop had a song for every player in red. Chelsea truly have got the Blues in every sense of the word!

Liverpool have arrived, and are here to stay. Now it’s AC Milan in the Final.

How important was the Kop to Liverpool in beating Chelsea? Sportingo would love to hear your views.