Among the supporters welcoming the team bus to Anfield for Liverpool’s semi-final was Champions Journalist fan reporter Nick Stuart

I took my cousin Liam to the game and we got to the ground at about 6pm – and it was already absolutely packed outside. After squeezing our way to the front we were right outside the players’ entrance on Anfield Road, where anticipation was steadily building; everybody was in high spirits as we kept the atmosphere going by singing various Liverpool songs.

Suddenly it got quiet – and then we started that famous Liverpool chant, “Allez, allez, allez,” in the distance, which meant the coach was coming. It spread like wildfire, quickly reaching a deafening level; hands and scarves were held high. Although it was over in mere moments, the passing of the coach seemed to take place in slow motion, as if the driver was helping the players to savour every moment. The show of support was absolutely phenomenal.

The atmosphere inside the stadium for kick off was truly special for a momentous occasion. I’ve never been to a match at Anfield where the opposition has joined in, holding their scarves up, to sing along with You’ll Never Walk Alone.

By the end of the game we had finally got an advantage over the resilient Villarreal. With 90 minutes still to go at the Estadio de la Cerámica, all Liverpool fans are hoping that Jürgen Klopp and his men can sink the yellow submarines once more. On Wednesday evening I was one of the fans who lined the street hours before kick-off, outside the famous Anfield Road Stand, waiting to give a warm welcome to our heroes. Even some Villarreal fans stopped to watch!