If there's one advantage Liverpool possess over Paris Saint-Germain in their Champions League quarter-final second leg, it's undoubtedly that the fixture is being held at Anfield. When the Reds' legendary stadium is at full volume, it's been recognised to reduce some of football's biggest icons to nervous wrecks.
Arne Slot will require the complete force of Anfield behind him come Tuesday night, with Liverpool needing to overturn a two-goal shortfall against the defending European champions. While the Reds have faltered this campaign, the atmosphere generated from all four stands of L4 can still convert an underwhelming season into an unforgettable one.
Liverpool have already reversed one European encounter this season, thrashing Galatasaray 4-0 at Anfield after suffering an away defeat by a solitary goal. So, just what precisely are PSG facing? Well, where do you start?
Perhaps back in 1977, when Liverpool overturned a 1-0 deficit against French outfit St Etienne to reach the European Cup semi-finals. Legend has it that the ground even shifted slightly with the decibel levels that evening.
That wouldn't be overly far-fetched. Researchers from the University of Liverpool found that during the Reds' 5-1 thrashing of Tottenham Hotspur last season, which secured them the Premier League title, Anfield recorded a peak magnitude of 1.74 on the Richter scale. Professor Ben Edwards said: "Their enthusiasm was literally powerful enough to move the Earth."
Then there are the occasions the younger supporter still cherishes. Liverpool's 1-0 victory over Chelsea in the 2005 Champions League semi-final is frequently considered the greatest evening in the club's history.
Jose Mourinho, who was managing the Blues at the time, brought the Blues to Merseyside following a draw in the first leg in west London. Luis Garcia netted the match's only goal after four minutes as Rafa Benitez's team held firm to secure the victory.
Reflecting years afterwards, Mourinho said: "It's the only time I've seen a stadium score a goal was in the semi-final of the Champions League in 2005... they made so much noise that they scored. I felt the power of Anfield, it was magnificent."
Competing with that evening is the memorable encounter with Barcelona in May 2019. The Catalan heavyweights, led by Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, established a dominant 3-0 advantage in the first leg at the Camp Nou.
The contest appeared finished until Anfield sprang to life and saw the Reds demolish Barcelona 4-0, to advance to the Champions League final, which they claimed against Spurs. Barcelona legend Xavi said: "The fans remained for the whole game and never stopped applauding their team. I couldn't believe it. I was speechless."
Arsenal hero Thierry Henry experienced the full force of Anfield during a memorable quarter-final encounter in 2008, where the Reds seized control of the tie with a 4-2 victory to progress to the semi-finals.
"For my first few years at Arsenal we didn't do well there [Anfield], but we improved," he said. "It's the atmosphere I love. It's unbelievable. I've played in a lot of stadiums but for me there is nothing like playing at Liverpool."
Kevin De Bruyne, who suffered a Champions League quarter-final defeat for Manchester City against Liverpool in 2018, said: "I like Anfield, I like it a lot. I love people being on you, being noisy, that is what it's all about. I love the passion of football."
PSG manager Luis Enrique is acutely aware that Anfield will present a formidable challenge his players must overcome.
Following the first leg triumph, the club's Spanish boss said: "We know it'll be really hard to play at Anfield, I've done it as a player and a coach now. We will suffer, we know that, and right now it's time for recovery and to prepare the match the best way we can. "
Strikes from Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia have handed the Ligue 1 giants a significant advantage going into the second leg. PSG also defeated Liverpool in the Champions League last-16 at Anfield last season on penalties.
Arne Slot is well aware that if Liverpool are to stand any chance of winning silverware this season, they will require Anfield to be rocking at its very loudest.
"We will need to have a better performance," Slot said following the first leg defeat in Paris. "[We] definitely need our fans to help us create an atmosphere where we can rise to a better level than we did today."
Liverpool have reached the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals where they host Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg on April 14. Fans can watch the game for free with an Amazon Prime subscription or 30-day free trial.
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