We all hear (and are justly proud) of how good Anfield is on an European night. Well for all those who couldn’t make it on Tuesday, let me tell you one thing. It was just tops.

An indication of the night ahead is usually given by how busy it is in the Kop early doors, and how noisy it is. Well even 40 minutes before kick off, you could hear the Kop outside the ground, and the queues to get in were already long enough to merit 2 police horses and that large female Sergeant that terrifies most of us.

We were in 103, and looking over my shoulder, all I could see was the diagonal view to the back of the Kop, across a sea of red, a sea of scarves, a sea of excitement and anticipation. The roar that accompanied the players coming out was almost terrifying, and I doubt anyone could hear the Barca team list being read out.

YNWA was loud, as it should be, but more heartening was the rest of the songs, Fields of Anfield Rd sang at a better tempo, Poor Scouser Tommy sang not at the speed of sound but properly and with everyone continuing to the end and not just joining in for “OOOH I am a Liverpudlian…”

The Kop was frenetic enough to have several songs on the go at times, we were just finishing off Oh when the Reds, when the Fields came rolling in again. YNWA at the end was in the round, everyone not caring, singing delirious and joyous.

It wasn’t as brutal and noisy as the Chelsea game, but perhaps thats because when we’re playing better, we don’t feel the need to be desperate in our songs, but it was continual and loud.

The “who are ya” chant to Ronaldhinio was unnecessary, the Brazilian bugs bunny has proved himself time and time again that he merits a bit more respect, but that apart, the only time I heard the Barca fans was when they scored. For about 3 minutes. Then we struck up again.

My favourite song ? Probably the first PST of the night. Uniquely ours (unlike YNWA) and uniquely our tune (a mixture of melodies as opposed the just changing the words like The Fields) and about a guy, like us who wants to be on the Spion Kop. Especially on European Nights.