As long as I can remember I’ve supported LFC but it wasn’t until I laid my eyes on the luscious Anfield turf at 7 years old on a sunny, freezing New Year’s Day that I really became enchanted with the club. The atmosphere was incredible, as You’ll Never Walk Alone echoed around the ground goosebumps covered my body from head to toe, and I knew from that moment on – there’s nowhere I’d rather be. The game ended in a draw with club legend Stevie G opening the scoring for the reds, but a late equalizer from Bolton soiled the mood, but it didn’t matter to me. I had finally understood why people became so absorbed by Liverpool’s aura. I told all my friends, my family, everyone I could get hold of, I became obsessed with watching every game to see my heroes battle the next opponent, each win more important than the last.

Every time I went to footy training I would close my eyes and pretend I was the next big thing, number 10 on my back running out onto the vivid green pitch contrasted with the blood red seats being serenaded by 45,000 people with a shared passion. There are few things that make you think that dreams are real but being inside Anfield on a match-day is one of them. The majestic scarves and flags, no matter where else you go, nothing else will ever feel like it. The clamoring of people rushing to their seats, the clattering of voices in the concourse followed closely by the rush of adrenaline as you walk up those steps and feast your eyes on the place you most want to be. The songs of old echo a history of joys once lived but never forgotten, and every memory is told in unison by strangers that belong in their common holy ground – all in the name of passion for one thing – Liverpool Football Club.

I’ve supported the reds through the best times, through the treble season, the European nights, Istanbul and the legends it made. I’ve supported them through the awful, the downfall of Rafa and the dastardly duo, the devastation of cup final losses. In the times where all hope was lost, faith was always found. LFC is a community, a path for people from all walks of life to stroll freely into the arms of and regardless of everything, Liverpool is here to remind you that you’ll never walk alone. Liverpool is more than a club, it’s a family, it’s a religion, and Anfield is our church.