It's easy to be seduced by Kop's charm

IT WAS another classic Anfield European night on Tuesday.

Liverpool lost the battle, won the war and wowed their new owners. It was even more poignant watching it with Michael Thomas.

He is best known for his last-gasp, title-winning goal at Anfield for Arsenal in that amazing finale to the 1989 season.

As pundit Steve McMahon kept telling, Liverpool could afford to lose 0-1, but not 2-0.

Thomas was at the game with a host of ex-players because he considers Liverpool his footballing home.

He may have had only six seasons at Anfield but, when it comes to Masters tournaments, he joins Alan Kennedy, John Barnes and the lads, rather than Arsenal's old boys.

He is a classic case of a player who has been seduced by the singular charm of Liverpool FC.

At half- and full-time, he was joined by the likes of Barnes, Jimmy Case, Tommy Smith and Bruce Grobbelaar.

They marvelled at a match which Liverpool should have won at a canter, but became an exercise in tactical acumen and dogged defence.

In the Directors' Lounge, new Liverpool owner Tom Hicks demonstrated the same wide-eyed astonishment at a night that had begun and ended with a nerve-tingling rendition of 'You'll Never Walk Alone'.

Said the 60-year-old Texan: 'I'd heard so much about the fans here and they were spectacular, the Kop especially.

'I've seen a lot of sporting events, but nothing comes close to this. Will I always have this much fun when I come to Anfield?'

Co-owner George Gillett Jr said: 'That was awesome. It was like nothing I've seen or felt before.'

As any first-time visitor will tell you, it comes as a shock to discover this temple of football is surrounded by boarded-up, rundown houses waiting to be demolished.

Liverpool FC's ticketing office and community/PR departments are housed in two modest old houses just along the Shankly Gates. Glamorous it most certainly isn't.

Just as well then that the Americans have been careful to assure fans that the new Stanley Park Stadium will be state-of-the-art but also mindful of tradition.

It will definitely contain a 'Kop-style' stand, larger than the rest.

It takes a European night at Anfield to school newcomers in the Liverpool way.

It takes sights like that of Steve McMahon reverentially touching the 'This Is Anfield' sign in the tunnel - or Kenny Dalglish sweeping into the foyer crackling with enthusiasm for the match ahead - to fully comprehend what happens to players, fans and owners alike once they become part of Liverpool FC.

'En Rafa Confidiamos (in Rafa we trust)', read one of the banners at last Saturday's clash with Manchester United.

Provided his new paymasters hand him the cash to acquire a world-class striker, there is every reason to believe that league and European glory might soon be within the manager's reach.

Anyone who was at both games will tell you there is a buzz about the club and the city.

The only downside: Tuesday was David Moores' last game as chairman.

However, as skipper Steven Gerrard said: 'He'll still be a big part of the club.'

Just like Michael Thomas, Macca and the rest of the Liverpool Family.

stsports@sph.com.sg



John Dykes is the lead presenter of the English Premier League and the host of Football Focus on ESPN.