Not that it means a jot - we're quick to dismiss it when it doesn't favour us - but the headlines and coverage are all about us.
Oliver Holt:
Oliver Holt:
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/footba...5875-21278953/
Liverpool did not surrender meekly last night. No matter what the odds against them, there was never a chance of that. Never ever.
Not with everyone of them wearing a black armband to remind them of the heavy significance of today's date.
Not with their loyal supporters massed at The Shed End of Stamford Bridge and their banners of remembrance draped proudly over the hoardings between the two tiers.
Not with Steven Gerrard, their captain, who lost a young cousin at Hillsborough, sitting in the directors' box with club officials, gripped by the action even though he was missing the game through injury.
Not with Jamie Carragher, a man who feels the heartbeat of his city every time he plays, taking Gerrard's place at the head of his side and playing like a rock in the centre of their defence.
Liverpool's players set out to pay tribute to the 96 fans who died at the Leppings Lane End last night by striving to overturn what seemed like an insurmountable deficit and recreate the Miracle of Istanbul.
And even though emotions will be raw at Anfield this afternoon when a memorial service will be held to honour those who were killed, there was also something intensely moving about the events that unfolded in west London last night.
This is a Liverpool team for whom the impossible has become almost routine in the European Cup but, nevertheless, there was something magical about what occurred in the first half in particular.
Rafa Benitez, the Liverpool manager, may not be a particularly emotional man and many of his players may have no connection to what happened at Hillsborough.
But Benitez has a special bond with this club and its supporters.
You only needed to see them carrying icons of him through the streets of the city when his job was under threat to realise that.
Or to see the emotion on the face of his wife, Montse, when the Kop sings You'll Never Walk Alone to know that managing Liverpool is more than just a job to Benitez and his family. However cold and analytical he can be, he will have made sure that each of his players knew that today is the most important day in Liverpool's season, the day when the city comes together in mourning and in grief.
And in continuing anger for the justice they have not yet achieved for those who died.
That is why another banner hung among the Liverpool fans.
It did not mention Hillsborough but its sub-text was clear. It said simply 'Defiance'.
And that is what Liverpool showed last night. They were quite magnificent in their defiance. Wonderful in their point-blank refusal to accept they were chasing a lost cause.
And so, on the eve of the 20th anniversary of the darkest day in the club's history, its players set about trying to achieve one of its most heroic results.
Real acts of heroism, of course, occurred on the pitch at Hillsborough two decades ago as Liverpool fans did everything they could to aid the dead and dying. But in a football context, Liverpool's indefatigability at the home of their bitter rivals on this night of all nights was inspiring to witness.
They may not have mustered a shot for the first 10 minutes but they soon made up for that.
Without their captain John Terry and intimidated by the sense of mission that Liverpool carried with them into the game, Chelsea froze.
Fabio Aurelio and Xabi Alonso, with a penalty, scored inside half an hour and suddenly disbelief spread around Stamford Bridge as the visiting fans went wild.
People stared at each other open-mouthed as the possibility that Liverpool could pull off another of the greatest football comebacks of all time grew closer.
But their epic pursuit faltered when goals from Didier Drogba, Alex and Frank Lampard made it 3-2 on the night.
But Liverpool would not give up. Never ever. Not last night.
Lucas scored to make it 3-3 and the pursuit began again. Then Dirk Kuyt put them 4-3 up. Even when Lampard scored again, Liverpool never gave up.
Not on one of the most remarkable nights of European football history. Never. Not last night.
Liverpool did not surrender meekly last night. No matter what the odds against them, there was never a chance of that. Never ever.
Not with everyone of them wearing a black armband to remind them of the heavy significance of today's date.
Not with their loyal supporters massed at The Shed End of Stamford Bridge and their banners of remembrance draped proudly over the hoardings between the two tiers.
Not with Steven Gerrard, their captain, who lost a young cousin at Hillsborough, sitting in the directors' box with club officials, gripped by the action even though he was missing the game through injury.
Not with Jamie Carragher, a man who feels the heartbeat of his city every time he plays, taking Gerrard's place at the head of his side and playing like a rock in the centre of their defence.
Liverpool's players set out to pay tribute to the 96 fans who died at the Leppings Lane End last night by striving to overturn what seemed like an insurmountable deficit and recreate the Miracle of Istanbul.
And even though emotions will be raw at Anfield this afternoon when a memorial service will be held to honour those who were killed, there was also something intensely moving about the events that unfolded in west London last night.
This is a Liverpool team for whom the impossible has become almost routine in the European Cup but, nevertheless, there was something magical about what occurred in the first half in particular.
Rafa Benitez, the Liverpool manager, may not be a particularly emotional man and many of his players may have no connection to what happened at Hillsborough.
But Benitez has a special bond with this club and its supporters.
You only needed to see them carrying icons of him through the streets of the city when his job was under threat to realise that.
Or to see the emotion on the face of his wife, Montse, when the Kop sings You'll Never Walk Alone to know that managing Liverpool is more than just a job to Benitez and his family. However cold and analytical he can be, he will have made sure that each of his players knew that today is the most important day in Liverpool's season, the day when the city comes together in mourning and in grief.
And in continuing anger for the justice they have not yet achieved for those who died.
That is why another banner hung among the Liverpool fans.
It did not mention Hillsborough but its sub-text was clear. It said simply 'Defiance'.
And that is what Liverpool showed last night. They were quite magnificent in their defiance. Wonderful in their point-blank refusal to accept they were chasing a lost cause.
And so, on the eve of the 20th anniversary of the darkest day in the club's history, its players set about trying to achieve one of its most heroic results.
Real acts of heroism, of course, occurred on the pitch at Hillsborough two decades ago as Liverpool fans did everything they could to aid the dead and dying. But in a football context, Liverpool's indefatigability at the home of their bitter rivals on this night of all nights was inspiring to witness.
They may not have mustered a shot for the first 10 minutes but they soon made up for that.
Without their captain John Terry and intimidated by the sense of mission that Liverpool carried with them into the game, Chelsea froze.
Fabio Aurelio and Xabi Alonso, with a penalty, scored inside half an hour and suddenly disbelief spread around Stamford Bridge as the visiting fans went wild.
People stared at each other open-mouthed as the possibility that Liverpool could pull off another of the greatest football comebacks of all time grew closer.
But their epic pursuit faltered when goals from Didier Drogba, Alex and Frank Lampard made it 3-2 on the night.
But Liverpool would not give up. Never ever. Not last night.
Lucas scored to make it 3-3 and the pursuit began again. Then Dirk Kuyt put them 4-3 up. Even when Lampard scored again, Liverpool never gave up.
Not on one of the most remarkable nights of European football history. Never. Not last night.
.
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