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Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has admitted he was forced to leave Anfield early on Tuesday night.

The Reds pulled off one of the greatest comebacks in European history as they turned around a 3-0 first leg deficit to knock Barcelona out and reach the Champions League final.

Current rangers boss Gerrard is no stranger to incredible Anfield nights - having been part of sensational matches between Olympiakos and Chelsea , along with other Reds classics such as the Miracle of Istanbul.

But the former midfielder didn't like it when the boot was on the other foot and he was forced to endure the drama from the stands rather than being able to manipulate it.

"My nerves the other night at Anfield were difficult to control," Gerrard revealed.

"I had to leave before the end once it was 4-0. I had my seven-year-old daughter with me and I used that as an excuse to go, saying she had school the next day.

"But really it was more about my nerves – God knows what the players were going through. I don't think I'd have been able to cope with seeing either Coutinho, Suarez or Messi break my heart.

"So I decided to beat the traffic and get out of there before it went wrong.

(Image: Danehouse/Getty)

"It's different being a manager in those circumstances because you prepare yourself for big games. You get yourself fired up.

"But as a fan, you go relaxed then all of a sudden a dream starts brewing and you think 'wow'. On Tuesday when it went 1-0, I was thinking, 'If we get one more this is game on' – then it came.

"But the longer it went, there was just too many quality players on the pitch so I had to get out.

"The emotion and the passion I saw at Anfield is very similar to what you get at Ibrox.

(Image: Bob Thomas/Getty Images)

"As a fan an ex-player, Tuesday was probably the best atmosphere I've seen at Anfield. It took me back to Chelsea when we scored the Luis Garcia goal, to Olympiakos – the big games I experienced myself.

"It also took me back to the Old Firm atmosphere here in December, the last 15 minutes against Rapid Vienna here in the Europa League.

"I hope as manager of this club I experience more big nights like that as Ibrox, alongside Anfield, is a special arena for football and it's mine and the players' responsibility to give these fans some good times.

"Being at Anfield reminded me of how special it would be to give these fans some success."