It was 8:10pm 95,446 fans had taken their seats at a sell out MCG and were about to witness history in the making.
Liverpool were playing a 4-3-3 formation with Jones, Enrique, Skrtel, Wisdom, Johnson, Henderson, Allen, Gerrard, Ibe, Borini, Sterling.
Melbourne Victory were playing a 4-4-2 formation with Coe, Galloway, Ansell, Leijer, Geria, Broxham, Celeski, Jeggo, Nabbout, Pain, Makarounas.
Just as Melbourne Victory threatened to make a match of this so-called friendly, Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard glided into the penalty box to strike home a trademark goal.
Gerrard fired a volley from 20m that forced Nathan Coe into a diving save in the 21st minute, moments after Nabbout had blasted a stinging shot from the top of the box that prompted Liverpool's Aussie keeper Brad Jones into action
Then came the turnover. Then came Gerrard.
He started the move in midfield, letting the ball run under him and sucking the defender in as he advanced forward, before Joe Allen played an incisive ball into the penalty area, where Gerrard gave Coe absolutely no chance.
It was fitting that the goal that finished with a typical celebration too, arms aloft.
It was all the crowd needed really, particularly after the pre-match festivity, which was an event in itself.
The roar when the teams came out on to the MCG was deafening.
"LIIIIIVERPOOL, LIVERPOOOOOL" rang out from the stands as the white glow of flash lights from iPhones and cameras broke through the sea of red in the jam-packed stands.
Then came a moment that was almost worth the price of admission itself: one of the most rousing renditions of Gerry and the Pacemakers' You'll Never Walk Alone you'll ever hear.
The game remained at 1-0 for the most of the match until a piece of individual brilliance by Luis Suarez in the 92nd minute set up Igao Aspas to seal the victory for Liverpool. Suarez received the short corner and dribbled past Jeggo and Pain to set a simple finish for Iago with a low cross.
The game remained at 1-0 for most of the match until a piece of individual brilliance by Luis Suarez in
the 92nd minute set up Iago Aspas to seal the victory for
Liverpool. Suarez received the short corner and dribbles past Jeggo and Pain to
set up a simple finish for Iago with a low cross.
This was the
first time Liverpool had been to Australia since its formation in 1892 but it
will definitely y not be its Last.
DID YOU WATCH THE GAME?
Please watch the spine tingling performance of You'll Never Walk Alone below.
