They crossed the river in their thousands, carrying their scarves and flags, to turn one of England's most stirring venues into the center of the football world once again.
Nottingham Forest and Liverpool are fighting for supremacy at the top of English football, just as they did more than 40 years ago, when Europe's biggest clubs ran aground on the banks of the Trento.
For Liverpool, there have been many such nights over the past four decades. Since Forest won their second consecutive European Cup in 1980, the Reds have won the trophy three more times and threaten to dominate the scene again under Arne Slot.
Forest fans probably wondered if they would ever challenge their north-west rivals again. They have spent most of the 2000s outside the top flight of English football and nights like this were like a mirage in those barren days.
Yet here they are, in the top four of the Premier League and dreaming of games against Real Madrid, Bayern Munich or Inter Milan next season.
With fifth place likely to be enough for a place in next season's Champions League, it's no wonder fans of Nuno Espirito Santo's team are so optimistic. Whatever happens now, they have made their mark on the Premier League this season and the atmosphere in the moments before kick-off was enough to send shivers down your spine.
Nottingham Forest fans created an electric atmosphere as they went head to head with Liverpool.
The noise only grew louder when Chris Wood fired Forest in front from the start.
Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has talked about leaving the City Ground, but that should never happen.
Images of Brian Clough, who became manager here 50 years ago and changed the club forever, appeared on the big screen. Images of memorable goals followed, from Trevor Francis to Morgan Gibbs-White.
Trent End supporters revealed banners reading 'This is Nottingham' and 'We are the Reds'. The club adopted Wings' 'Mull of Kintyre' as their modern anthem and, as the fans sang it, all that could be seen were red and white scarves.
They roared even louder in the eighth minute when Chris Wood received a pass from Anthony Elanga and put Forest ahead. In the first half they applauded every interception by Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic, and shouted with joy when Luis Díaz put one into the Trent End or Andy Robertson played a simple pass straight into touch.
They booed when Trent Alexander-Arnold grumbled at referee Chris Kavanagh as Liverpool walked away at half-time a goal down. “Van Dijk seems nervous,” one fan commented to his teammate as they queued at the bar. “They're there for the taking,” boasted another.
Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis is not happy that occasions like this come and go. He wants to take this club to the elite and keep it there. It is difficult to overstate the level of their ambition, and improving Forest's home is key.
Somehow the club must try to retain the essence of the City Ground while improving the stadium to meet modern standards and the growing demand for season tickets. It's a difficult circle to square.
Marinakis has talked about leaving the City Ground for a new state-of-the-art 50,000-capacity stadium, but the preference of almost all Forest fans would be to stay here. If the club can close a deal to buy land near the stadium, they hope to move forward for good later this year.
Many clubs have been here before. Take Tottenham, who left White Hart Lane in 2017 to move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. While the new grounds surpass the old in scale and facilities, it lacks the spirit of the old place.
Recreating that takes years, maybe even decades. The old Wembley in the end was a relic, but the players who experienced grand finals there still talk about it with childlike enthusiasm. The new one? Not so much.
The Bosque fans roared at their team for the point achieved with a lot of effort after Diogo Jota's equalizer
Nuno Espirito Santo has brought some big nights to the City Ground, and Forest should strive for more after showing they can hold their own against the league leaders.
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This is where Forest can take heart from what Liverpool have done.
In September 2016, the Merseysiders completed reconstruction work on the main stand, bringing the capacity to 54,000. At the end of last year they improved the Anfield Road stand and the stadium now seats more than 61,000 people. The terrain is no less intimidating for visiting teams, nor is the Kop any less ferocious.
These questions are for the future. On Tuesday night, fans' only attention was shouting for their teams and an away game played a big role.
As one of the Champions League's maudlin slogans says, that's why we love football. Marinakis knows it too. This ancient place is Forest's greatest asset. No matter how big his plans are for this club, he will surely never lose sight of them.