Liverpool fans knew what was coming next after Wolves statement

Liverpool beat Wolves 4-0 at Anfield in front of 2,000 returning Reds supporters

The Liverpool fans knew what was next. And it had been a long, long time coming.

After the Reds players had applauded the Kop following the final whistle, a beaming Jurgen Klopp sauntered towards the jubilant supporters.

Then it happened. One fist pump. Then another. And another, the feeling and emotion building every time.

Each would have felt as cathartic as it did celebratory, such has been the tortuous near nine-month wait for Liverpool to once again walk out at Anfield in front of their fans.

Yes, there may have only been 2,000 here. But what the support lacked in numbers they more than made up with in volume.

Klopp had been beaming throughout the pre-match warm-up, a smile that didn’t leave his face as Liverpool posted an outstanding performance worthy of the occasion.

Indeed, this was every inch a display that demonstrated why the Reds have no intention of letting loose their grip on the title won so memorably last season.

Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Manchester City and the rest would have been nodding in approval.

Wolverhampton Wanderers weren’t just beaten – they were comprehensively and ruthlessly dismantled by a Liverpool team who continue to make light of the chronic injury problems that once again left them without four of their regular back five from the start.

Not since March and the Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid has the playing of You’ll Never Walk Alone been met with a chorus from the stands, here layered with a mixture of defiance, gratitude, relief and excitement.

This, after all, was the first opportunity those few thousand have had to thank Klopp and his players for ending the 30-year wait for the title in July.

Was there a danger the fans would be swamped by the sheer vastness of the stadium? Definitely.

Did it seem a little odd they were dotted around in socially-distanced seats? Of course.

But there they were, back supporting Klopp’s team, cheering their heroes, going through the Liverpool songbook and, mercifully, jeering the decisions of referee Craig Pawson and his officials.

A little normality has returned to Anfield.

As Blur’s Song 2 – the track that had been played after every Liverpool goal in the absence of cheers – would exclaim: woo hoo.