By matchday, the attention surrounding Wigan had followed them all the way to Merseyside.
Their coach made its way through the streets towards Anfield, carrying a squad that had become accustomed to seeing their matches treated as major events.
Yet the closer they came to the stadium, the more difficult it became to ignore the occasion.
Liverpool's ground rose above the surrounding streets, its stands looming beyond the buildings as supporters streamed towards the entrances.
Red shirts were everywhere as songs, unfamiliar to them, travelled between groups of fans who had arrived hours before kick-off.
For Wigan's players, the sight offered a reminder of what awaited them.
Anfield was not merely another away ground.
It was one of the most recognisable stadiums in English football, a place where the history surrounding the pitch could feel almost as present as the players standing on it.
Some of the greatest teams in Europe had left without getting what they came for.
