Liverpool Football Club is not only a cultural icon, it is a football institution. We have a proud heritage which is second to none. Our principles, values and morals are the cornerstones of the club.

We are honoured to have followed in the footsteps of the Immortals that are Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley and Joe Fagan. They gave us the time-honoured tradition of the Bootroom, which brought unparalleled success. Our trophy haul is the envy of all, friend and foe alike (just ask Sir Alex Ferguson). This is where you experience the magic of a colossus, where our heroic, fairytale feats are spoken of in hushed tones.

Sadly, Heysel and Hillsborough cast long shadows over the club which had us shrouded in the dark for way too long. The effect on Liverpool FC as a dominant domestic and European force has been telling and brutal. It not only stifled us but crushed us in isolation. The follow-on effect on English football was just as damning. We are still recovering.

'This is where you experience the magic of a colossus, where our heroic, fairytale feats are spoken of in hushed tones'


As much as Kenny Dalglish was worshipped as a modern-day Immortal, Graeme Souness was despised. Dalglish’s departure had much the same shocking effect as that of Shankly. The wound cut long and deep. It has been 17 long years since the League Championship has been won. It has been cold in the wilderness.

Much has been said of Gerard Houllier and his contribution to our club. Vilified in some circles and revered in others. After years in the wilderness, he re-established us as a club with credentials and pride. Sadly in that time, we had witnessed a role reversal with our eternal foes Manchester United. While we were the perennial League Champions in the 70’s and 80’s, they were considered to be Cup specialists or at least the record books showed that. There has been a significant role reversal. Who can forget the Cup treble of 2001? Finally, there seems to be a stirring of the old Phoenix rising from the ashes.

The axing of Houllier brought to the fore the Rafa Revolution. Rafael Benitez is an astute and calculating manager with all the guile of an old warhorse. The Spaniard was just the captain an ailing Liverpool ship needed to steady the helm before clearing the decks. He made it clear that he is his own man and would not tolerate any interference.

Rafa arrived at a club that had fallen like a King on the battlefield. We had fallen on hard times, emotionally and financially. In the corporate evolution, we totally missed the bus. While still a well-run organisation, our cup winnings were keeping us ticking over. Financially, the situation was much worse than anticipated.

Rafa’s achievements since arriving are nothing short of phenomenal. While we are no closer to climbing the steps to Premiership glory, he has restored the prestige of the club name by winning the Holy Grail that is the European Cup for a fifth time. Only two other teams have achieved more wins in football history, namely Real Madrid and AC Milan. While Rafa has firmly established himself in our great history, he can set his own path to glory by conquering Europe again.

Istanbul: May 25, 2005: Any Liverpool supporter would tell you that it was our greatest triumph to date, considering that we were astonishingly 3-0 down at half-time. Many rival supporters consider us to be lucky, but in football you make your own luck and we certainly did. The so called “Miracle of Istanbul” was destiny to all of the believers. Winning Big Ol’ Ears for the fifth time was nothing short of a fairytale and made it all the sweeter.

Athens: May 23, 2007: We have every reason to be confident. Mental toughness is part of the Liverpool psyche. Whatever we lack in flair, we make up for in grit and determination and it has served us well over the years by overcoming more talented teams. We take pride in winning the hard way. There are no short cuts to success.

Once again we face the vanquished foe of old, AC Milan. Familiar gladiators, where there is more than pride at stake. A fierce battle is expected, the same result no less. Another European Cup triumph has so much more significance for the long-term future and ambitions of the club. It would move us to joint second with AC Milan but still short of the record held by Real Madrid.

Now consider that Rafa’s achievements have been tempered by the lack of financial backing by a club in transition. The emergence and backing of a new American regime who are slowly starting to understand the history, culture and tradition of the club, are about to add some much-needed financial muscle to the juggernaut that is defined as 'The Rafa Revolution'.  Be afraid, be very afraid - “The Phoenix is RISING!”

If Istanbul represented the passing of the torch and a milestone in the history of our beloved club, Athens could significantly be a watershed. It could signal the changing of the guard and a return from the wilderness of the mighty Liverpool.

My call to arms - “I heard the Immortals' battle cry in a whisper on the wind that resonated in my heart. In the dark of the night and in the face of adversity that we all know so well, I stood up, proud, mighty and Red. For in moments like these, I know that I'm not alone. Like those before us and those yet to come, “You’ll never walk Alone!”

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