It all could have ended so differently. After disappointment in Barcelona, there were fears Liverpool FC wouldn't even make it to the Champions League final, but a stunning comeback at Anfield winning 4-0 against the Spanish giants, suddenly the dream was in touching distance.
After 2018's crushing experience in Kiev, few were keen to talk things up too much, but nevertheless the excitement began to simmer. And as 1 June grew closer, even the most pessimistic knew that Liverpool could be on the cusp of a historic moment.
Here, the ECHO brings you a play-by-play of everything that happened across Merseyside and Madrid over a Champions League weekend that will never be forgotten.
The build up
Days, even weeks, before the Reds attempted to claim their sixth Champions League win, neighbourhoods began to turn red with anticipation. Flags unfurled from windows, team colours flashed below jackets and decorations adorned railings. One street in Halewood decked out the entire place with Reds regalia .
Soon, office workers couldn't make their way through the city without seeing flashes of scarlet, or flags rippling from car roofs in the traffic queues.
As the big day drew ever closer, fans who hadn't managed to get their hands on a precious ticket had difficult decisions to make about where they would watch the game. Hotel prices rocketed in Liverpool as well as Madrid, while direct flights to Madrid became unaffordable for many. Undeterred, some fans planned zigzag routes across Europe to get cheaper fares, or geared up for a roadtrip. One terminally ill Hillsborough survivor .
As the match drew near, fans flocked to John Lennon Airport, desperate to catch a glimpse or signature of the heroes they were so sure would bring home another win for the city.
After the players had taken to the skies, it was the turn of the fans to chase them across the clouds to Madrid. Many flights were spontaneous sing-a-longs , and even a lone Tottenham fan could see the funny side . But it wasn't clear yet whether they would have anything more than sunny weather to look forward to on the other side.
The final
On Saturday, crowds gathered in two cities more than 2,000 miles away from each other, but in both cities the air seemed to be charged with electricity.
Hours before kick-off, fans on Spanish ground crammed together to enjoy music played by Jamie Webster in the Plaze De Filipe II, the electric guitar feeding from the supercharged atmosphere.
Bars across the Spanish capital were filled with Scousers grabbing quick pints, sharing jokes and starting chants before making their way into the stadium.
Back at home, fans flocked to bars, filling places like Concert square to bursting, bumping shoulder to shoulder as flares pumped the comfortingly familiar red smoke into the air. As the match began, the ground around the city centre began to shake with the stamping of fans' feet as shouts and cheers reverberated around street corners.
Let's talk about six, baby
Liverpool scored a goal right at the start of the match against Tottenham, but fans were nevertheless on tenterhooks until a late second goal sealed the deal. Liverpool was crowned victorious, cementing their sixth Champions League win, and cheers erupted across Madrid and Merseyside. As the confetti flew in the stadium, so did drinks and cheers from overwhelmed fans on either side of the ocean.
Fans didn't know whether to laugh, cheer or cry after tense moments and good saves had left passions high throughout the stadium.
In Liverpool, celebrations began immediately as chants of Allez Allez Allez and renditions of You'll Never Walk Alone poured through the streets, causing windows to vibrate, begging to let the atmosphere in. The party went on until the sun rose as pubs stayed open and Central Station became the byword for a singsong rather than a way to get home.
Victory Parade
From 4pm roads across Liverpool began to close and cordons were raised to make way for Liverpool's champions.
As the bus set off from Allerton, and slowly wound its way into the heart of Liverpool, players hung from the top of the bus, basking in the cheers and admiration of the fans.
The final destination was the Strand, a sea of red from mid afternoon. When the bus turned the corner, and entered the iconic street, the flares smoked, the ticker tape flew and the fans sang You'll Never Walk Alone in chorus with the players.
As the celebrating carried on into the evening, few could begrudge the revellers their party. Liverpool has done its fans proud.
