The latest Legends game at Anfield started and finished in exactly the same way. With Steven Gerrard’s name being sung around the ground..
And in between those moments, Liverpool supporters who chanted Gerrard’s name were treated to another vintage display by the Kop great. The midfielder simply rolled back the years in front of a full crowd.
Operating more as a forward than a central-midfielder, the now-41-year-old showed he hasn't lost that touch of class he has always posed with less than five minutes on the clock. Receiving a pass a good 35 yards from goal, the current Aston Villa boss dropped the shoulder and moved away from Roberto Trashorras with ease.
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The only disappointing aspect of the move was that Gerrard opted to try and play in team-mate Dirk Kuyt instead of going for goal from distance. But it was a sign of things to come as an instinctive backheel followed just minutes later.
Then came the magic moment. A bust into the box saw him brought down by Edmilson with referee Peter Banks having no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
There was only one man who was going to take this penalty, and sure enough, just like he did on numerous occasions during his Reds career, Gerrard confidently converted from 12 yards out to put his side ahead.
Midway through the first half and it was like watching Liverpool of old. As everything good about their play came through Gerrard, who simply looked a class above.
And it was at this moment when many Reds fans could have been forgiven for wondering what just might have been. Or more to the fact, imagining what Jurgen Klopp's current crop would look like if they had Gerrard in the heart of midfield.
Still fighting on three fronts, Liverpool are so good at the moment that it would be seen as a disappointment if they were to only claim the League Cup from this season. And many would say they don’t need him, but based on this evidence, and what Reds fans have already witnessed, Gerrard is simply a special player.
During his Liverpool days he was often the man to pull his team over the line. The man they turned to when in need of some inspiration and something out of the ordinary. Now, that wouldn't be expected, with Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and even Divock Origi all showing on countless occasions that they are capable of producing when the pressure is on in big season-defining moments.
However, after Giovanni drew Barca level before the break, here, and then Rivaldo fired his side ahead in the opening stages of the second half, history began to repeat itself. Liverpool needed a hero and all eyes were on Gerrard.
He should have claimed an assist when his clever pass released Milan Baros inside the box, but the forward saw his effort blocked by the onrushing Xavier Guzman. And as the clock ticked down, every time Gerrard picked up the ball Anfield as one urged him to shoot.
But there was to be no fairytale ending for Gerrard and his team of veterans as Barcelona claimed a 2-1 victory. However, that didn’t stop Anfield from showing its appreciation to the former captain in the immediate aftermath to the final whistle going, as his famous song got another airing.
Liverpool without Gerrard and under Klopp are doing just fine, but displays like this one leave supporters imagining just what it might be like with Gerrard in the middle of midfield.
