Taken from the Uefa website. Get your clean undies out boys. Europe is ready to shake. THE POWER OF ANFIELD The Kop Factor is sure to play a part when Liverpool FC look to reverse their 1-0 defeat by Chelsea FC in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final on Tuesday. If one group of spectators can influence a match, the Liverpool fans packed inside Anfield have got what it takes, and as Chelsea know only too well, it has happened before. Worldwide fame Liverpool's European adventures span five decades and the passion shown by their fans in that frequently glorious period has earned them worldwide fame. Kopites are proud of that and are at their electrifying best on epic European occasions at Anfield. The roars of celebration could still be ringing in Chelsea's ears from the last UEFA Champions League semi-final between these rivals two years ago. The man-of-the-match performance in Liverpool's 1-0 second leg (and aggregate) victory over Chelsea came in harmonious unison from The Kop end. It was, perhaps, their most famous night. We know our fans are special, and on a European night even more soSteven Gerrard Kop classic People will tell you about Liverpool's momentous 3-1 win against AS Saint-Etienne in the 1977 European Champion Clubs' Cup quarter-final, as Anfield's rafters shook in the face of a mighty eruption acclaiming David Fairclough's decisive third goal. However, the astonishing, inspirational and constant barrage of support that Liverpool enjoyed against Chelsea on 3 May 2005 holds the edge for the telling impact it had on the game. Before the match, Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard predicted: "I am sure the roof is going to come off with the noise our fans will make. Chelsea will not know what has hit them - they will be taken aback. We know our fans are special, and on a European night even more so." He was not disappointed. 'Power of Anfield' The contribution of Liverpool supporters was every bit as significant as Luis Garc?a's match winner. Still convinced the ball never crossed the line from Garc?a's shot, Chelsea manager Jos? Mourinho said: "The only goal the fans ever scored in my experience is the one which beat us at Liverpool two years ago." Immediately after the match, Mourinho declared: "I felt the power of Anfield, it was magnificent ? maybe that interfered with the result." Even today, Gerrard recalls: "That was a frightening noise and when we were warming up we were stunned by the atmosphere. I feel it made Chelsea nervous." When Liverpool were loosening FC Barcelona's grip on the UEFA Champions League in this season's first knockout round, the last exultant, joyous rendition of 'You'll Never Walk Alone' was not greeted with bitter jeers or hostile derision by the traveling fans as they watched the holders slip out on the away goals rule. The Bar?a followers simply got out their mobile phones and digital cameras to record one of the game's most stirring sights. First impressions Anfield itself is deceptively small and, perhaps, a touch disappointing at first glance when the gates open to let away supporters and debut visitors rush inside. The stadium's capacity of just over 45,000 is dwarfed by numerous other clubs across the continent, not least Barcelona's Camp Nou which is twice the size and every bit as treasured. However, it is the people that fill Anfield with such passion that cast such a huge shadow on the game's landscape. When Liverpool relocate to a new stadium in nearby Stanley Park in what is expected to be the 2010/11 season, they will do well to replicate the super-charged atmosphere and that is what is concerning club officials and fans alike. New Anfield Liverpool plan to build a 60,000-seater arena in the shadow of the existing Anfield ground and work is due to begin this month. The club's new American co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks have been examining ways to increase the proposed capacity of the new venue, though the planning process and existing agreements have left little room for manoeuvre. Naming rights for the stadium are still up for discussion but the retention of a Kop end has been promised. "The Kop will be a key to the new stadium," said Hicks, pledging that Liverpool's new home will be "designed around it". He added: "It will be like the stage that performs to the rest of the stadium." Landmark features Also promised is a proper homage to the old Anfield and its landmark features, such as the Hillsborough Memorial, which marks the deaths of 96 Liverpool fans at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final. Before a 2005 UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie, The Kop tried to heal old wounds with Juventus by holding up cards spelling 'Amicizia', offering the hand of friendship on the 20th anniversary of the Heysel Stadium disaster, when 39 people died ahead of the European Champion Clubs' Cup final between the teams. Reverence and respect for the past will be just as important as looking to the future when the foundations of the new Anfield are laid. ?uefa.com 1998-2007. All rights reserved.
Crowds wont harm Chelsea tonight, they no the league is over for them so they are going to go all out for a win tonight. And if Anfield was so special, how come your fantastic crowd didn't help you win against us?
Chelsea wont crack because of the pressure from the fans, saturday was a sad day for them and Carvalho and Ballack are out so thats why chelsea will lose, not because of the crowd, i remember them beating you 4-1 at anfield.
Yea, thats some super fortress eh? I think Chelsea will win, Mourinho will have them ignoring the crowd because he can get into anyones head, he will have them geared up and ready to shut up the Kop.
Is this the same Fortress Anfiled that witnessed the Mickey Mousers get spanked by Arsenal twice in a week?
Do a get the feeling of a bit of jealousy here. United were VERY lucky to win there this season. The Anfield crowd is famous the world over and it doesn't matter who you are but when we get going it will affect the best players in the world. Del Piero said only the other year "ive played in world cups, European finals and some of the biggest grounds in the world but never witnessed what happened at Anfield. We couldn't hear each other and when we went to the sidelines it was difficult to concentrate with the fans breathing down your neck." If players of that calibre are scared puffs like Ashley Cole, Robben n co are gonna be crying for their boyfriends. Just because OT doesn't have an atmosphere don't let it cloud your judgement.
Old Trafford has an atmosphere, and it has won us titles. When was the last time you won the league? You remember what that is dont you? Tell you what, when Liverpool win the F.A Premier League, you can get back to me.
OT has great atmosphere when it wants to be. Just in prem games it is quiet like all top four stadiums.
Flight You really are thick aren't you? We have won the league 18 times which is more than you. Does it matter what its called.
Yeah it does matter because it's called the F.A Premier League.. which you havnt won. Your the thick one im afriad.
the only people on the pitch i have seen crack under tha crowd are refs. why would a team crack under a crowd when they play infront of an oppsoing crowd 19 times at least a season, im pretty sure they are trained enough not to crack under a few shouts from some people who dont even make sence when they talk
and if anfeild is so special to the kop aswell, how come it diden't help them beat benfica in the champions league last season, and most notably man utd, and seriously afraid of the crowd singing YNWA, i mean wow, one song can't make you win really..can it?
That article i put on here is off the UEFA website. So i think there may be something in it,what do you think? Flight oh flight what am i gonna do with you, you need help, big time. I know its only a joke to call Irish thick but you are trying to prove everyone you are.
see how stupid kop fans are <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Flight oh flight what am i gonna do with you, you need help, big time. I know its only a joke to call Irish thick</div> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Once again I am not Irish I am British thank you very much.</div> tut and i thought they were meant to scare fans by singing YNWA
It wont get the result tomorrow night, chelsea will deal with it, score a goal, shut you up and defend a lead well.
For some reason Liverpool fans always moan about their atmosphere. It's silly because they actually think its a merit for their team.
