During half-time of a remarkable, breathless, gut-wrenching encounter, a plane flew over Anfield bearing the message: “Dare to dream – Will to win.”
The supporters dared to dream.
But it was the sheer will to win of Liverpool's players that edged them ever nearer a first championship in 24 years with victory over title rivals Manchester City.The record books will denote Phillippe Coutinho scored the winning goal 12 minutes from time that earned a 3-2 win, secured a 10 successive Premier League triumph and kept the Reds top of the table.
That, though, only scratches the surface of an unforgettable, rollercoaster match that boasted great goals, daft defensive mistakes, controversy, a red card and the most stirring Anfield atmosphere since the Champions League semi-final against Chelsea in 2005.
The Reds enjoyed a dream start with Raheem Sterling and Martin Skrtel netting inside the first 26 minutes.
But City, inspired by substitute James Milner, responded strongly with David Silva pulling a goal back on 57 minutes then forcing an own goal from Glen Johnson five minutes later.
At that point, it seemed there would only be one winner, City as rampant as Liverpool had been in the opening stages.
However, this Reds side is instilled with such an unshakeable belief this is their year, this is their moment that they came again, Coutinho capitalising on a poor clearance from Vincent Kompany to smash a fantastic decisive strike.
For Liverpool principal owner John Henry and chairman Tom Werner, both cheering on from the directors' box, it was further evidence their investment remains well-placed.
It was, of course, an emotional afternoon at Anfield with this Tuesday the 25 anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.
Rarely can 45,000 people have been as silent as those paying tribute during an impeccably-observed minute's silence before kick-off.
Having considered the merits of handing Daniel Agger or Joe Allen a recall, Rodgers instead elected to keep faith with the starting line-up from last weekend's testing 2-1 triumph at West Ham United.
It meant Sterling was restored to the tip of the diamond with Jordan Henderson and Philippe Coutinho either side of the youngster.
And only six minutes were needed to justify Rodgers' decision as Liverpool once again sprinted out of the blocks at home.
Luis Suarez won possession and then held off Gael Clichy before slipping a fantastic pass in behind Kompany for Sterling, who then demonstrated remarkable composure to assess the situation, drop his shoulder to fool both the retreating Kompany and goalkeeper Joe Hart and slot the ball into a welcoming net.
With Liverpool tearing into City, Sterling then turned provider on 15 minutes when sprinting down the right and crossing for Daniel Sturridge to prod the ball wide from a good posittion.
With Liverpool tearing into City, Sterling then turned provider on 15 minutes when sprinting down the right and crossing for Daniel Sturridge to prod the ball wide from a good posittion.
The Reds were given a further boost when City talisman Yaya Toure tried one of his trademark curling long-range shots but pulled up injured and was substituted a few minutes later.
A lightning break from Liverpool set in motion a series of events that culminated in their second goal on 26 minutes.
Suarez's brilliant touch fed Sterling and the ball was moved on to Sturridge, whose searching pass into the area was blocked by the overworked Kompany.
From the resultant Coutinho corner on the left, Hart made a supreme save to turn over the unmarked Steven Gerrard's bullet header from Coutinho's corner.
City, though, hadn't learned their lesson. And from Gerrard's delivery on the other wing, Skrtel held off Kompany to glance an impressive header beyond the helpless Hart.
It was a sweet moment for Skrtel, who had been outmuscled by Kompany at a corner to concede in Liverpool's 2-1 defeat at City on Boxing Day.
It was a sweet moment for Skrtel, who had been outmuscled by Kompany at a corner to concede in Liverpool's 2-1 defeat at City on Boxing Day.
City were shellshocked. But, thanks to some slack play from the Reds, they were given glimmers of encouragement before the break.
A misplaced Jon Flanagan pass allowed Silva to feed Edin Dzeko for a shot well blocked by a sliding Gerrard, and Sakho was fortunate to escape when he caught Dzeko with a needlessly wild challenge inside the area with the ball going out of play.
City came closer still on 43 minutes. After Sakho blocked Silva's header, Kompany beat Simon Mignolet to the corner and Sterling and then Johnson were required to head off the line before the goalkeeper could gratefully collect.
And Mignolet did even better seconds later with a fingertip save to keep out Fernandinho's shot from the edge of the area.
At the other end, Coutinho had earlier robbed Dzeko of the ball and shot wide from edge of the area.
But after the interval, the next goal went to City, but not before Suarez was fortunate to escape a second yellow when going to ground far too easily under the weight of a Martin Demichelis challenge.
The visitors found a way through on 57 minutes, inspired by substitute Milner.
Milner played a one-two down the right with Fernandinho and cut the ball back for Silva to finish clinically from a matter of yards.
Then, five minutes later, on the other flank Samir Nasri and Silva exchanged neat passes inside the area and Silva's shot deflected in off the unlucky Johnson and Mignolet's outstretched boot.
It was no more than City deserved for their stirring comeback and they continued to dominate, Mignolet beating out a Dzeko effort after Henderson had given the ball away.
A stretching Silva missed a glorious chance after being found by another City substitute, Sergio Aguero.
Then, out of utterly nothing, came Liverpool's knockout blow.
Under no pressure, Kompany completely sliced his clearance to the edge of the City area where Coutinho pounced to smash a brilliant first-time finish into the bottom corner. Hart had no chance.
As Liverpool dug in, Henderson was rightly dismissed for a lunge on Nasri having overrun possession, while Skrtel escaped a handball in the closing stages as City threw everything forward.
As Liverpool dug in, Henderson was rightly dismissed for a lunge on Nasri having overrun possession, while Skrtel escaped a handball in the closing stages as City threw everything forward.
But a second equaliser didn't come. The title is edging ever nearer to Anfield.
LIVERPOOL (4-2-3-1): Mignolet; Johnson, Skrtel, Sakho, Flanagan; Gerrard, Henderson; Sterling, Coutinho (Moses 89), Suarez; Sturridge (Allen 66). Subs: Jones, Toure, Agger, Aspas. BOOKING: Suarez (foul).
MANCHESTER CITY (4-2-3-1): Hart; Zabaleta, Demichelis, Kompany, Clichy; Fernandinho, Toure (Garcia 19); Navas (Milner 50), Silva, Nasri; Dzeko (Aguero 68). Subs: Pantilimon, Lescott, Negredo, Kolarov. BOOKINGS: Garcia, Fernandinho and Zabaleta (all fouls).
REFEREE: Mark Clattenburg.
ATT: 44,601.
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/liverpool-fc-3-manchester-city-6983818
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