It’s easy to forget just how special this freezing night in December 2004 really was. The reds went into the critical sixth game in the Champions League group stages against Olympiakos
Needing to win either 1-0 or by a two-goal margin to qualify for the last 16.
The outcome was all the more remarkable considering the reds started the second half needing three goals leaving Liverpool staring a place in the dreaded UEFA Cup square in the face.
The reds had made a bright start but fell behind against the run of play when the brilliant Rivaldo swept a free kick past Chris Kirkland and despite the immediate goal scoring impact of outstanding half-time substitute Florent Sinima-Pongolle, the sides were still level with just ten minutes to go.
It seemed like it was going to be a case of so close yet so far after the reds had hit the post, seen two goals harshly ruled out and had a host of decent penalty shouts turned down. But just as the critics where sharpening their knives ready to carve into Liverpool’s misfortune, South Yorkshire man Neil Mellor delived a vital goal to send the Kop rolling. Mellor fresh from his match-winning strikes against Arsenal and Middlesbrough, was brought on to replace the clearly unfit and disheartened Milan Baros.
The stage was set for a frantic finish. Anfield railed together into a collective voice. A wall of noise, nerves and expectation tried to suck the ball into the Olympiakos net.
Some things seem just meant to be and when Mellor neatly cushioned Carra’s cross into the path of Gerrard. The captain fired an unstoppable half-volley past Nikopolidis to send a standing Kop into ecstasy, and trigger Andy Gray’s famous commentary speech.
A tense last five minutes ensued but Liverpool held on for a famous and absolutely vital victory in a match that, in many ways, signalled a rebirth for the famous old stadium.
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