Liverpool, as a club and as a fanbase, have become embroiled in fights they would rather have side-stepped in recent weeks.
Reds games of late have been marred by chants that have no place on the terraces and have led to many questioning if any of it is actually worth the trouble as a result.
From disgusting songs about the Hillsborough and Heysel tragedies to goading references to The S*n newspaper and, to a lesser extent, pro-Monarchy sentiments that have misguidedly been designed to bait, there's been a lot of unsavoury stuff aimed in the Reds' direction of late.
READ MORE: Liverpool can learn after 'naive' response to referee influence in Europe
READ MORE: What Darwin Nunez did in mixed zone as Robertson makes Erling Haaland admission
For their part, some Liverpool supporters have not always covered themselves in glory, either. Songs about Queen Elizabeth's death at Ibrox earlier this month from a minority in the away end was a distasteful grenade lobbed in the direction of the Rangers' support on the night.
Club statements condemning the "vile chants" of Manchester City fans in the away end during Liverpool's 1-0 win were released shortly after full-time with images of the vandalism of Anfield by the visitors also emerging on October 16.
Those same chants were also audible less than five minutes into the defeat at Nottingham Forest last week, again causing many to wonder if following their team around the country was in fact worth it.
But for a suporter-base still coming to terms with events at the Stade de France in May's Champions League final, the visit to the Johan Cruyff ArenA was the perfect tonic.
The Reds may have secured their place in the last 16 of the Champions League with a 3-0 victory, but it will be events off the pitch that provided a lot of the talking points after the game, only this time for positive reasons.
Many inside the world-famous Amsterdam stadium on Wednesday night were quick to point out just how enjoyable the entire event was. From the locals' willingness to air a version of You'll Never Walk Alone, pre-match, through to the waving of the flags just before kick-off that bore the images of both club crests; it was clear the respect levels were maximum from the home fans. At times it was perhaps even too accommodating from a sporting perspective as Jurgen Klopp’s side eventually ran out 3-0 winners to confirm their place in the last 16 of the Champions League.
The ECHO spoke to a handful of supporters inside the Cruyff ArenA on Wednesday night, who all remarked how refreshing it was to be treated with the sort of respect that is quite often absent for football supporters of any persuasion across England.
"It just felt normal, the way you'd hope it to be," said one supporter, while another tweeted: "Was really quite nice to be treated like a human being."
Merseyside Police also spoke of how the match passed without incident, tweeting: "Due to the exemplary behaviour of both sets of supporters the decision was made not to hold back the Liverpool supporters. Credit to you both. @LFCHELP @SPIRITOFSHANKLY".
"Great to hear so much positive feedback from last night’s match at @AFCAjax" tweeted Liverpool supporters' union, Spirit of Shankly. "Sensible policing & stewarding. No lock in after the game & treated like human beings. Should be a blueprint for all future European away games."
On a night that restored so much faith both on and off the pitch for Liverpool fans, there was the quite surreal moment when both sets of match-goers joined together for a rendition of Bob Marley's Three Little Birds.
Ajax followers adopted the tune back in 2008 when, following a friendly against Cardiff in Wales, they were asked to remain in their seats while the song played across the PA system. Liverpool fans' have a weaker link to the 1977 hit but have occasionally dusted it off on the terraces and the concourses across the land.
Clearly the scars of that harrowing evening in Saint-Denis are still visible for many within the travelling Kop, but nights like this one in Amsterdam will go a long way towards restoring enthusiasm towards following Liverpool across the continent, an aspect of the Reds' fandom that has been a proud staple for decades.
READ NEXT:
- Liverpool player ratings as Mohamed Salah and one other excellent in win at Ajax
- Jurgen Klopp explains Liverpool's new formation after win over Ajax
- 'That’s what I mean' - Ajax boss Alfred Schreuder makes Liverpool admission after Champions League defeat
Liverpool potential Champions League last-16 opponents after Ajax win
'Like an annoying fly' - Dutch media make Liverpool point after win at Ajax
