The other alternative, which one red-shirted gent decided was more favourable, was to start an impromptu rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone, drowned in the kind of sentimentality Liverpool's opponents find repulsive.
But the 35,000 didn't sing it with hope in their hearts, nor with fire in their bellies. It was poignant rather than passionate.
The tear in the eye wasn't one of joy but despair. A mere 45 minutes into a ceremony 21 years in preparation and a dream had died.
As the second chorus faded Liverpool's players ran back onto the pitch to an astonishing ovation.
The cresendo of noise somehow injected volumes of self-belief into the hitherto drained souls.
The inspirational orchestrator of the famous anthem had perfectly complimented Rafa Benitez's team talk.
He had inadvertently inspired the greatest fightback ever witnessed in any football stadium in any decade by any team ever.
Okay, a few belated but painfully necessary tactical changes helped.
The previous manager's fatal mis-take in this competition was subbing Didi Hamman during a crucial European clash three years ago.
Far more serious was the decision to omit him completely.
Benitez made an astonishing gamble, abandoning caution for an attacking formation which backfired so hideously, the away end resembled a series of portraits of Edward Munch's The Scream.
