Liverpool haven’t been champions of England since 1990 and their record of 18 titles was overtaken by Manchester United.
But when it comes to the biggest prize in club football, their fans are proud to sing at the top of their voices: ‘We’ve won it five times.’
Certain competitions seem made for certain clubs. It’s definitely that way for Liverpool and the European Cup, or the Champions League as it’s now become.
A flag on the Anfield Kop celebrates Liverpool’s rich European heritage before the Roma match
Mohamed Salah (middle) led the way as Liverpool defeated Roma 5-2 in last week’s first leg
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp (right) and his players prepare to jet out to Rome on Tuesday
The special relationship is underlined by the Miracle of Istanbul in 2005 when Liverpool, who had finished 37 points behind Chelsea in the Premier League, were big underdogs against mighty Milan.
At the end of a dramatic 3-3 draw and penalties, it was Djimi Traore and Milan Baros who ended up with winners’ medals of Andrea Pirlo and Kaka.
Now, Jurgen Klopp’s side are threatening to become European champions for a sixth time despite again finishing off the pace in the Premier League title race. Next on the list of English teams are Manchester United with three.
Liverpool hold a 5-2 first leg lead over Roma ahead of Wednesday’s second leg and former captain Steven Gerrard says: ‘The supporters believe they can go all the way – and so do I.’
Given his club’s history, you wouldn’t bet against them.
Liverpool parade the European Cup after the first of their five triumphs – against German club Borussia Monchengladbach in Rome back in 1977
Kevin Keegan and Ray Clemence celebrate Liverpool’s European Cup glory in 1977
So, why are Liverpool so successful in Europe? Why do matches against Borussia Monchengladach and Real Madrid stir the emotions more than against local rivals.
Perhaps geography is part of the reason. As as a major port linking England with the rest of the world, Liverpool has always been the most outward-looking city in the country, fuelled by immigration through its history.
The Beatles owed their musical heritage to the sailors who would bring imported US rock n’roll records into Liverpool.
Bill Shankly, a proud Scot who became an adopted Scouser, also looked beyond our island and introduced a pass-and-move philosophy to Liverpool that was more continental in its outlook than any other English team.
Even when Liverpool dominated the game in the 1970s and 80s, they scored the fewest goals from set pieces in the First Division. Keeping the ball in open play was the bedrock of their success and from that they were able to take on Europe’s best at their own game.
Kenny Dalglish scores Liverpool’s winning goal in the Wembley final with Bruges in 1978
Reds manager Bob Paisley shows off the European Cup on their open-top bus tour in 1978
The fans have also played their own part. At a time of economic hardship for Merseyside, travelling to Europe with Liverpool was an eye-opener for thousands of open-minded Reds followers.
They are credited with starting the Casual movement among fans in the 1980s. Trips to France and Italy gave them the idea to dress up in style to go to the match, rather than wearing the same pair of scruffy flares every week.
For both players and supporters, success in Europe became a badge of honour.
Shankly and Bob Paisley both won the Uefa Cup. Then, in 1977, the holy grail was reached when Paisley’s Liverpool beat Borussia Monchengladbach 3-1 in the European Cup Final in Rome.
It was the first of four triumphs in eight seasons; with wins in the final against Bruges at Wembley (1978), Real Madrid in Paris (1981) and Roma in Rome (1984).
Liverpool fans lapped it up and The Kop created an atmosphere on European nights at Anfield that became famous around the world.
Alan Kennedy fires home Liverpool’s winning goal in the 1981 final against Real Madrid
Captain Phil Thompson lifts the trophy in Paris as Liverpool claimed a third win in 1981
The 3-1 victory against Saint-Etienne in 1977 went down in folklore. ‘It was the only game in which I found it difficult to focus solely on the football,’ admitted Liverpool defender Phil Neal.
‘When the ball was up the other end of the pitch I couldn’t help but look up in amazement at the crowd. The whole stadium seemed to be moving, even the people in the stands. They were bobbing up and down, swaying and bouncing, You couldn’t better that night.’
The noise was emulated nearly three decades later when Liverpool beat Chelsea in the 2005 semi-final, Luis Garcia scoring what was dubbed by Jose Mourinho a ‘ghost goal’ because he claimed it hadn’t crossed the line.
‘The best atmopshere I experienced at Anfield. The feelings I was getting inside my body were incredible,’ said Gerrard.
This year, both Manchester City and Roma have suffered heavy defeats at Anfield, both appearing to be knocked out of their stride by the deafening noise.
Bruce Grobbelaar and Phil Neal celebrate Liverpool’s fourth success in the 1984 final in Rome
Neal (far left) scores Liverpool’s goal at the Stadio Olimpico as Ian Rush watches on
As Liverpool have seen their domestic dominance surpassed, first by Manchester United and Arsenal and more recently Chelsea and Manchester City, success in Europe has become increasingly important.
Since last winning the league, they have reached four European finals and are 90 minutes away from a fifth.
After beating Milan in 2005, they faced the same opponents in the 2007 Champions League final. They also won the 2001 UEFA Cup under Gerard Houllier and reached the Europa final two years ago with Klopp.
Thirteen clubs have won the Champions League since it began in 1992. All of them have been domestic champions in that time – except Liverpool.
Their club’s relationship with Europe is unique and you wouldn’t bet against Klopp and Mo Salah delivering again to allow their fans to sing: ‘We’ve won it six times’.
Captain Steven Gerrard with the famous trophy after Liverpool’s 2005 comeback in Istanbul
Goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek makes a save from Andriy Shevchenko as Liverpool win on penalties