The new roof trapped the noise of forty five thousand people and sent it crashing down onto the pitch. It felt like standing inside a jet engine.
Michael Sterling stood in the tunnel. He adjusted his purple silk jacket. He looked to his left.
There stood the giants. Liverpool.
They looked like a team of super soldiers. They were tall. They were broad. They smelled of expensive shampoo and victory.
Arne Slot the Liverpool manager stood at the front. He was bald and calm. He looked like a chess grandmaster who knew he was going to win in three moves.
Behind him was Alexander Isak. The 150 million pound signing. The Swedish striker looked bored. He was chewing gum like he was waiting for a bus not a Premier League match.
And then there was Mohamed Salah.
The Egyptian King did not look happy. He looked furious. His eyes were burning. He was not looking at the Barnsley players. He was looking at Isak. The new signing had stolen his spotlight. The King wanted his crown back.
