Normally it is the opposing manager left bewildered by the power of Anfield on a European night.
But Brendan Rodgers admits last week it was he transfixed by the electric atmosphere only such an occasion can bring to the famous old stadium.
For the Northern Irishman, it was a significant moment in his fledgling Liverpool tenure. And, like any addictive drug, he wants more.
"I really felt like the Liverpool manager after the Zenit game, having experienced a European night," says Rodgers. "I was disappointed that we didn't have more.
"It was an incredible night. The support and how they carried us that night was incredible. To see the Kop and the flags... the atmosphere was incredible.
"It is a club that is deserving of those sort of nights and we have to work tirelessly to bring those nights back."
As memorable the evening may have been for Rodgers, ultimately it ended in heartache as Zenit St Petersburg sneaked through on away goals to end Liverpool's interest in this season's Europa League at the round of 32 stage.
Having got no further in the FA Cup and stumbled at the second hurdle in the Capital One Cup, the Anfield manager will end his first season in charge empty-handed.
But with the target now ensuring a swift return to Europe, Rodgers believes his team don't have one cup final but several - starting at the DW Stadium against improving Wigan Athletic tomorrow evening.
"We have 11 games left and we need to continue to show that warrior spirit," he says. "That is vital for us. Every game for us is a cup final.
"Supporters pay too much money. People will be travelling all over the country to support the football club. It is not as if we will ease off before the holidays.
"The work and intensity won't stop until the final whistle of the QPR game. If anything this is a period now we have to really focus in and come together even tighter and more determined in order to have success later."
Liverpool currently stand in eighth place, a sizeable eight points off Arsenal in fifth and the one guaranteed Europa League qualification berth.
Sixth place - where Everton stand three points ahead of their neighbours - may be enough if Manchester City and one of Manchester United or Chelsea contest the FA Cup final.
And while admitting the season has not met Liverpool's exacting standards, Rodgers believes the remaining three months can prove his methods are starting to take hold within the squad.
"There's no doubt if you're measuring it off trophies then it has not been the season that we would want so I'm not going to stand here and bluff over anyone," he says.
"But I want to push into that top six if we possibly can. I think we can do that, can we reach fifth and go on a run which would be great.
"That is not thinking this club should not be higher, it is just a realistic aim of where we at for this season.
"A lot of things are coming together for us, our mentality and idea of the game. That should help us kick on next season.
"Next year will be better again but certainly we would hope to show that we are developing and improving as a group. I believe we can demonstrate that."
Although Rodgers stopped short of suggesting some players are fighting for their futures at Anfield, it's clear the final 11 Premier League games will influence who remains in his long-term plans.
"I don't want to issue threats," he says. "These players have given me everything this year. We have been a fraction away from being right up there and it has been more individual mistakes than collective, although we all share the blame.
"Like every club we will re-evaluate the group come the summertime and look to strengthen again.
"I don't just assess players in the games, it is every day in training. Over this period of time you can build up a profile.
"After a difficult start, when the players were getting to understand my ways of working and the demands that were put on them, I think they have shown they have grown.
"Hopefully they will continue along that route. I am not going to frighten anyone that they won't be here. The players have been great and the idea is to move forward together and to strengthen.
"We will look to strengthen in the summer but naturally, if some players aren't playing, they'll look at it. That's the nature of football."
Rodgers, though, expects Liverpool to remain an attractive proposition to players even if European qualification proves beyond them this season.
"European football is not going to define whether a player wants to come to Liverpool or not," he says.
"Of course it is better if you are in the competitions but I'm sure there are players who will come here because they know there are improvements to come."
Source: Daily Post
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