The Daily Mail's Colin Wood is the latest member of the media to give his 'View From The Press Box' as he looks forward to this week's Champions League tie and talks about what makes Liverpool fans so special on European nights.
I don't know whether Liverpool can repeat their Champions League glory this season, but one thing is for sure and that is no team will fancy coming to Anfield and playing in front of the Kop on a European night.
I don't think the CSKA Sofia game this midweek will rival some of the big games from last season in terms of atmosphere and noise, but the Bulgarian players will certainly be aware that they're stepping into a special arena when they arrive at Anfield.
European nights at Liverpool are always special and are always nights to really look forward to. I can't quite put my finger on why they are so special but I think a lot of it goes back to the wonderful family feeling that came to the club when Shankly arrived. Even though Liverpool weren't so successful in his first few years, it was still a fantastic place to come and watch football.
I'll always remember the game against Inter Milan in 1965. Liverpool had just won the FA Cup for the first time and Anfield was packed with more than 54,000 fans. It was the European Cup semi-final first leg and before the game Gerry Byrne and Roger Milne paraded the cup to the fans. Liverpool won the first leg 3-1 before they lost in Italy, mainly down to some dodgy refereeing decisions. The atmosphere at Anfield that night was just something else.
That is a story which hasbeen repeated time and time again down the years. Before last season the best atmosphere I ever had the privilege to be a part of was the famous St Etienne game in 1977. Liverpool had lost 1-0 in France and it was set for a great night at Anfield for the second leg. Getting an early goal after just two minutes set the tone before St Etienne pulled a goal back. Then of course Ray Kennedy scored and six minutes from time David Fairclough came off the bench to score that dramatic goal to win the tie.
A couple of occasions last season reminded me of that great night. The Olympiacos game was very dramatic and the Chelsea match is definitely right up there with St Etienne. The Liverpool fans almost took the roof off Anfield that night. It was a fantastic experience and I don't think the Chelsea players or manager could believe it.
The people of Liverpool are special and that's why they can make European nights such great occasions. They turn up at Anfield in their droves and sing themselves hoarse in support of their team. The family spirit that Shankly inspired has carried on until today and is being carried forward by Rafael Benitez, Steven Gerrard and company.
Benitez is certainly bringing the good times back to Anfield. I can't put my finger on why they have not done so well domestically but certainly as a European force they are a side to be reckoned with once again.
Whether they can do it again this season and win the Champions League is very difficult to say, but with the atmosphere like it is on a European night at Anfield then you can't completely rule it out.
The amount of games Liverpool have already played this season will no doubt stand them in good stead for the early matches in the Premiership and in Europe, but I do wonder if it'll take something out of them come the end of the year.
Whatever happens, their fans will be behind them all the way and will be hoping for more glorious nights to add to the growing list of special Anfield occasions.
Colin Wood
Most memorable match covering Liverpool: Rome 1977 when Liverpool won the European Cup for the first time.
Best player seen in your time covering the Reds: Kenny Dalglish, without a doubt.
Team you support: It's not Liverpool and it's not Everton. One ofmy proud boasts over the years is people connected with Everton and their fans think I'm a Liverpool fan, and people connected with Liverpool and their fans think I'm an Everton fan.
I wasn't in Istanbul as I wasn't working and I'm not a die hard Liverpool fan, but all my children are. I watched the match on television and at half-time the three youngest ones went out and started playing football. I knocked on the window and shouted it was 3-1. Then it became 3-2 and I must admit I was on my feet with them shouting and cheering, and I was dancing around the room when the third goal went in!
