We’ll Never Walk Alone…

Oh yes, we were there… the picture above was taken about 1.5 hours before the kickoff of Liverpool vs Malaysia.  The stadium was already swarming with Kopites.  Please excuse the sleepy face and absence of makeup on me 😛

We’d actually arrived at about 3:40p.m., to a carnival-like atmosphere, all the way from the Bukit Jalil LRT station to the entrance of the stadium.

Although Steven Gerrard could not be there, there were mini replicas everywhere…

Fans slowly filling up the stadium…this photo was taken at 4:06p.m., about 1 hour 45 minutes before kickoff.

There was also a minor hooha (and LOUD BOOING) when someone appeared in a Man U jersey (see the guy indicated by the red arrow?).

He did not seem perturbed by the booing though, and continued to wave to all the Liverpool fans.  I don’t know what happened to him eventually, but I think he was ushered out when nobody wanted to offer him a seat.  In fact, I’m not sure if I saw wrongly, but I *thought* I noticed him a little while later, wearing a Liverpool jersey and sitting quietly by himself.

The crowd cheered at the slightest glimpse of any Liverpool players.  Even the sight of Dirk Kuyt talking to someone triggered an emotion that reverberated through the stadium (we were shown closeups of the players on the huge screen).  Good thing we arrived early as we were treated to their warm-up sessions too!

…And right before the kickoff of the amazing match that ended Liverpool 6 Malaysia 3. 9 enjoyable goals that were cheered on and celebrated by everyone in the stadium, regardless of color, race or creed.

The first half was slightly marred by the incredibly HOT sun setting right in front of us, its rays burning our side of the stadium (Thank goodness for sunblock!).  But not even that dampened the spirits of the fans.

Another glimpse of the 85,000 odd people who thronged the stadium, and who sang the Liverpool anthem in unison, almost as if Anfield had been transported magically to Bukit Jalil that memorable day of July the 16th.

Indeed, You’ll Never Walk Alone, Liverpool…and we await your return to Malaysian soil with open arms…