Liverpool went into their Champions League tie with Porto in 2007 knowing that they realistically needed to record a win to keep their hopes of progressing through to the knockout stages alive.
The Anfield outfit had claimed just four points from their opening four fixtures, with a huge 8-0 demolition of Besiktas failing to paper over the cracks that had began to appear between the club's board and manager Rafael Benitez.
The Spaniard's job was beginning to come under pressure, but he received an overwhelming show of support from the club's supporters, with around 2,000 fans walking from a nearby pub to Anfield with a banner stating "In Rafa we trust".
It was a timely boost for a man who had taken Liverpool to two Champions League finals, and he went ahead to name an attacking lineup for the visit of Porto, with Fernando Torres leading the line in attack.
The Reds began the match on top, with Torres and Andriy Voronin forcing goalkeeper Helton into two early saves, and the home side didn't have to wait long to take the lead against their Portuguese opponents.
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Steven Gerrard curled over a corner kick which caused confusion in the Porto defence, leaving Torres with the easy task of heading home to give Liverpool the early advantage.
That opener had Anfield rocking as the supporters began to encourage their side to push for a second, but the group leaders didn't look fazed at falling behind and they promptly equalised 14 minutes later.
Przemyslaw Kazmierczak was given time and space on the left-hand side to cross for Lisandro Lopez, who held off the attention of Alvaro Arbeloa to head past goalkeeper Pepe Reina.
Lopez's leveller rocked Liverpool and they could count themselves fortunate not to fall behind before the half-time whistle, with the Argentine forward narrowly missing the bottom corner after being played in behind the Liverpool defence.
Liverpool came out after the break with renewed vigour, but after Yossi Benayoun miscued a shot after Torres had provided the assist, sights on goal dried up as the tension intensified on Merseyside.
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Benitez turned to Harry Kewell and Peter Crouch as he sought the goal that would haul them back into contention in the group, and 15 minutes after his introduction, the Australian dribbled his way into the box to allow Torres to curl the ball into the corner.
Out of nowhere, Porto were at sixes and sevens in defence, and after Milan Stepanov handled the ball in the penalty area, Gerrard stepped up to fire the ball into the corner to all but seal three much-needed points for Liverpool.
The home side continued to press forward in search of a fourth and after earning a 10th corner of the night, Crouch rose highest to head past a helpless Helton to move Liverpool into second position in the group, with just two points separating all four teams.
In their final game, Liverpool made the short journey to France targeting a win that would see them make the last 16, and an inspired display ensured that the Merseyside outfit recorded an outstanding 4-0 triumph.
Dreams of a third Champions League final in the space of four years grew stronger as Liverpool dispatched of Inter Milan and Arsenal to reach the semi-finals, but they finally succumbed to Chelsea in a thrilling second leg at Stamford Bridge.
Darren Plant
