By Al Campbell 30 July 2005 Bolo Zenden says he is glad to be a Liverpool player and admits it was the Liverpool fans who made him choose Anfield as his destination upon leaving Middlesbrough.
Zenden praised Liverpool's magnificent support before he played at Anfield for Middlesbrough last season and says the backing the Reds got at half-time in the Champions League final was just amazing.
" I was actually on holiday when I watched the final and in the hotel they put up a big screen but it wasn't actually working as the image was blurred and there was no sound. I wanted to see it so I went back to my hotel room. I watched the first half in my room and when the first goal went in after just one minute I said 'oh no, the game is gone' because normally with Italians they lock the door and nothing comes in or out. Then it was 2-0 and 3-0 and I just couldn't believe it.
"So at half-time I left my room and went downstairs again and they had a tiny TV showing the match.
"The thing that surprised me was, although I wasn't there and experiencing the atmosphere, the only thing I heard on the TV even though Milan were 3-0 up was the Liverpool fans singing and shouting and supporting the team. That must have given a mbuttive boost to the team and it was absolutely fantastic.
"I watched the second half downstairs and then obviously it went from 3-0 to 3-3. I remember the magnificent save Jerzy Dudek made from Shevchenko that gave a big boost to Liverpool. The penalty shoot-out was one to remember as well. I also saw some pictures of the team touring the city the next day and it must have been amazing for the players, it was such a fantastic sight and it's something you never forget.
"I remember when I was at Barcelona and if you were losing at half-time or even drawing they were not as good as the Liverpool fans were in Istanbul. With Barcelona the fans expect the team to be winning all of the time so when they are not they can be a bit harsh."
-- LIVERPOOL FC - KINGS OF EUROPE MANCHE$TER BUCCANEERS & BLUEpooE - KINGS OF COMEDY
