Kop need spirit of Garcia ‘ghost’ goal

GHOSTBUSTER ... Brendan Rodgers

BRENDAN RODGERS has called for the spirit of the ghost goal to avoid the spectre of a Euro KO tonight.

Eight years ago Liverpool roared to the Champions League final courtesy of Luis Garcia’s winner against Chelsea, on an evening which rocked the rafters.

While overturning a 2-0 first-leg deficit against Zenit St Petersburg and reaching the last 16 of the Europa League hardly carries the same clout, the size of the task is probably greater.

But Rodgers knows it is no lost cause — not if they show the strength which has brought so many Merseyside glory nights.

The Kop boss was part of the Stamford Bridge backroom team that evening, when Garcia’s goal — something Jose Mourinho still refuses to concede crossed the line — sent them to a showdown with AC Milan, and ultimately a fifth European Cup.

The Ulsterman still jokes it did not go over the line. Yet it is his ideal example of what can be achieved when Anfield is shaking with atmosphere.

Rodgers said: “I was here for the first one, the ‘ghost goal’ and for me, it wasn’t a goal — it was the sheer force of the crowd that got it.

“The atmosphere was as good as you will ever get. The crowd will be so important for us.

“The legend of this club has been based on nights like this, big games and big comebacks. It has been about the club and the supporters coming together for those results.”