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Luis Garcia has warned Jose Mourinho he will feel “the power of Anfield” once again in Sunday’s Premier League title showdown with Liverpool FC.

Nearly nine years have passed since the little Spaniard made the decisive contribution on an unforgettable night in L4 to fire the Reds to the 2005 Champions League final.

Garcia’s early strike – which Mourinho has always insisted never crossed the line – gave Rafa Benitez’s side something to hold on to during a pulsating semi-final second leg.

A fervent crowd carried Liverpool to glory at Chelsea’s expense and Garcia believes history will repeat itself this weekend as the current crop look to step a giant step closer to landing the Premier League title.

“From the moment I walked out on the pitch before kick-off that night the atmosphere was electric,” Garcia told the ECHO.

“What was amazing was that fans kept it going for the whole game. That was one of the biggest and most enjoyable games I ever played in.

“Of course scoring that goal makes you remembered for your whole life. It was fantastic to be able to give the people that moment of happiness.

“I heard that even this week Mourinho was still saying it didn’t cross the line. What I do know is that I think it was better for Chelsea that the referee awarded the goal rather than give us a penalty and send off their keeper.

“The most important time you feel that incredible Anfield support in matches is when you are struggling and up against it.

“When you don’t know what to do and the other team is pushing you, that’s when you really feel the power of the crowd. They help you to keep working and go forward.

“The fans will be there for the team again on Sunday. This is the most important game of the season and they will help them get the victory they need.”

Garcia was granted a hero’s reception on his return to Anfield earlier this week. The 35-year-old played for Gerard Houllier’s Rest of the World Legends against Kenny Dalglish’s UK and Irish Legends in the ‘Celebration of the 96’ charity match.

It may have been seven years since he represented the club but his bond with Merseyside remains strong.

His name is still chanted by Kopites on a regular basis and the feeling of respect is mutual.

“It was beautiful to be back,” said Madrid-based Garcia, who spent the last three years of his playing career in Mexico before announcing his retirement in January.

“It’s unbelievable the feeling you have when you step on that grass.

“I enjoyed it so much to be back playing in front of 44,000 fans with all the legends around. You wouldn’t get a crowd that big for a charity game at any other club around the world.

“I miss many things – living in the city, the club and the people – so having the chance to play here again was great.

“It’s always been like this with the fans here. The people have always treated me so well.

“They are always in touch with me through Twitter and Facebook and I can feel that support from far away.

“I always watch all the Liverpool games. I know they still sing my song. I always put the surround sound on my TV so I can hear that clearly in my house!”

Garcia, who scored 30 goals in 121 games for the Reds between 2004 and 2007, has watched the Reds’ resurgence under Brendan Rodgers with delight this season.

Victory on Sunday would equal a club record of 12 successive league wins set back in 1990. It would also put the Reds, who are currently five points clear of Chelsea, on the brink of ending their 24-year title drought.

With three games remaining, Garcia is supremely confident that Rodgers’ men will hold their nerve.

“Like every Liverpool fan, I have enjoyed this great season,” he said.

“They are going to make history. I believe they will win the title.

“There were many people who doubted them a few months ago and were waiting for Liverpool to slip up but it hasn’t happened. Even when they didn’t have the best of games, they continued winning. They deserve the title because they have been so consistent.

“I met Brendan for the first time before the legends game. He said: ‘Hola, Luis, como estas?’ (Hi, Luis, how are you?)

“I felt like he was an old friend! That’s important as a manager. Yes, you have to be serious and you have to make the players work hard but after that to be a human being is very important.

“I can see why players enjoy playing for him and how he gets the best out of them.

“I think something is building here. Liverpool are building a new era under Brendan. Hopefully for the next few years they will be at the top and fighting for big titles.”

Garcia was part of the Reds side who won the Champions League in 2005 and the FA Cup in similarly dramatic circumstances 12 months later.

On both occasions the inspiration was provided by Steven Gerrard and the former Barcelona man is desperate to see the talismanic skipper finally get his hands on the one trophy which has always eluded him.

“You can see what this means to Steven with his performances on the pitch,” Garcia added.

“He’s in the last few years of his career and he knows there aren’t many chances left for him to win the Premier League.

“Now he’s got the chance right there and he deserves it. He has been one of the best players in the history of football, not just in terms of Liverpool.

“It’s amazing to think how important he was to Liverpool when we won the Champions League and how important he still is all these years on.

“I heard what Zizou (Zinedine Zidane) said recently about how Steven was the complete midfielder and could have played for anyone in Europe.

“He’s right. He’s a player every club would love to have in their team and he deserves this kind of title.”

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