Liverpool’s title celebrations two weeks ago displayed just how impressive the Reds’ support truly is.
After 35 years of waiting to see their team crowned as champions in person, the let-off at Anfield after Liverpool beat Tottenham was something to behold.
Songs were sung and tears were shed. For all who witnessed the occasion – including the Liverpool players – it was a day that will never be forgotten.
For some clubs, that would be the absolute pinnacle of their existence. Something that will never be topped. But as Liverpool have shown time after time, they always find a way to do something even better.
Part of the reason for that is Anfield itself. The ground was built for special memories and to help its football team perform miracles.
Rival fans may scoff, but the stadium has a unique place in football folklore. And as he joins a long list of football legends to have done the same, Barcelona icon Xavi Hernandez has now become a member of the Anfield fan club.
Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
Xavi amazed by Anfield atmosphere
The title of ‘legend’ has started to become thrown around a little too easily in football. But in the case of Xavi, it almost doesn’t feel enough.
The Spaniard is front and centre in conversations surrounding the best midfielder of all-time, having sparkled for Barcelona and Spain during the 2000s.
MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES
As he revealed to The Athletic this week, he is also an absolute football obsessive.
Despite spending his whole career in Europe with Barcelona, Xavi admitted that he regularly watches matches from other countries and would love to have played in England in the Premier League.
READ MORE: Lamine Yamal hoping for Liverpool meeting as Barcelona superstar reveals Anfield dream
“I loved playing with Barcelona and have no regrets, but I would have loved to play in a different European league, too,” he says. “The Premier, Italy.
“The Premier League is pure football. People respect the profession. Respect the coaches, the players – if you put everything on the pitch.
“I loved to play at Anfield or Old Trafford,” Xavi added. “The atmosphere. It’s the roar when their team attacks. And I played at Celtic many times. Incredible.”
When did Xavi play at Anfield?
Unfortunately, Liverpool were not quite the force they are today throughout much of Xavi’s career with Barcelona.
Between 1998 and 2015 – while the World Cup winner was gracing the Camp Nou – the Reds only faced Barcelona on six occasions. Three of those matches took place at Anfield, but Xavi only played in two of them.
The first was in the Champions League in November 2001. Having been on the bench for Barca’s visit to Anfield in the UEFA Cup the previous April, Xavi played the full 90 minutes as the Spaniards won 3-1.
Xavi had to wait another six years before coming to Merseyside again in the Champions League last-16 in 2007.
With Liverpool holding a 2-1 lead from the first-leg, they were beaten 1-0 by Barca on the night, but still progressed to the quarter-finals on away goals.