Principal owner John Henry was watching on television at home due to an illness but co-owner Tom Werner and newly appointed board executives David Ginsberg and Michael Gordon were on hand representing New England Sports Ventures for Liverpool's first home game since their purchase of the English club.

Sam Kennedy, chief executive of the Boston Red Sox, which is owned by NESV, was also on hand for the Reds' 2-1 win over Blackburn that moved them into a three-way tie for 16th place with Fulham and Blackburn.

“They enjoyed it a lot," said NESV spokesperson Mike Lee. "Everyone was delighted. It was special listening to Gerry Marsden singing ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone.' There was a very good team performance and three points which was the most important thing of all. It was a very good day and an important result. All the guys from NESV were delighted for [Liverpool manager] Roy [Hodgson] and it was a well-deserved win.”

The pregame music on the Anfield PA system included Paula Cole’s “Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?” It was an apparent swipe at Liverpool former owners, Texan Tom Hicks and George Gillett.