Liverpool have reached their second successive Champions League final with a remarkable 4-0 victory over Barcelona in the second leg of their semi-final clash at Anfield.
Divock Origi netted the first and fourth goals on a memorable night on Merseyside, but the enforced introduction of Georginio Wijnaldum proved key with the Dutchman chipping in with a double in three second-half minutes.
Barcelona had their opportunities on Tuesday evening but at times, the La Liga champions looked powerless as a rampant Liverpool wrote another page in their illustrious history.
Liverpool set the tone for the task ahead by almost going ahead after 51 seconds with Jordan Henderson being denied by a last-gasp interception at the back post, but it did not take long for the home side to reduce the three-goal deficit.
A mistake from Jordi Alba contributed to Henderson seeing a low shot inside the area well saved by Marc Andre ter Stegen, but Divock Origi was perfectly placed to slot home the rebound from six yards out.
Liverpool remained on the front foot although it soon became apparent that a gung-ho approach would quickly be undone, and Lionel Messi saw a shot tipped over the crossbar by Alisson after meeting Alba’s cutback.
Messi quickly turned provider for Philippe Coutinho to have a low curling effort parried away by Alisson, while Messi dragged a half-volley wide of the goalkeeper’s post from the edge of the area.
Andrew Robertson had a well-struck strike kept out by Ter Stegen at the other end, but Liverpool have quickly become second best to a side intent on netting what would probably be a tie-clinching goal.
Liverpool rallied as the first half moved closer towards a conclusion, but Klopp’s side were fortunate to make the break without conceding an equaliser during four minutes of added-on time.
A mistake from Xherdan Shaqiri eventually resulted in Messi dragging a shot just wide from distance, before Alba got on the end of a pass from the Argentine only for Alisson to make a timely block.
Liverpool were forced into a change before the restart due to an injury to Robertson, but Klopp’s men again pushed forward for an early goal with Virgil van Dijk being denied by Ter Stegen after a clever back-heeled volley.
Luis Suarez saw a shot from 14 yards parried away by Alisson as Barcelona also showed intent in the final third, but Liverpool soon pulled a second goal back through Robertson’s replacement Wijnaldum.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s low cross from the right was deflected into the path of the substitute, who forced a first-time effort under Ter Stegen from by the penalty spot.
The home supporters were beginning to sense something special was taking place in front of them, and the comeback was soon complete when Shaqiri crossed for the Dutchman to power a header into the top corner from eight yards.
The capacity crowd inside Anfield were in delirium as Barcelona struggled to comprehend what had just taken place, but Ernesto Valverde’s side soon gathered themselves to take control of the game ahead of the final quarter.
Messi was always a threat – regardless of whether he was in possession – and the forward almost netted his third of the tie with Alisson having to make a smart save down at his near post.
However, Liverpool remained ambitious when on the ball, and the quick-thinking of Alexander-Arnold led to Liverpool remarkably taking the lead with 11 minutes remaining.
Barcelona were attempting to find a way to defend a corner from the right effectively, but Alexander-Arnold sent a low pass across the box for Origi to fire a close-range effort into the top corner.
12 Comments
Congratulations Liverpool
I’m proud of you Reds
You’ll Never Walk Alone!
This is the spirit of never say die.
Never give up your dreams.
Only you can do it. No one else.
Take a bow, Jurgen Klopp and co. Liverpool have pulled off the seemingly impossible. But this is football. Impossible is nothing. Kudos to the Reds for playing their best match this season. Having said that, Barca totally have themselves to blame. They had numerous chances. Just one goal could have seen them thru. Complacency, over confidence, or just a terrible day at the office? Their exit is thoroughly deserved. They brought it upon themselves. Congrats Liverpool!
This comeback win is the second most impressive I’ve ever seen. The most impressive has to be the MIRACLE OF DAMMAM, when the Nigerian U-20 team came back from 4 goals down to equalize and beat the USSR team via penalties. This is the only time this has happened in any FIFA organized competition, ever. What made that comeback so impressive was that USSR led 4-0 with about 25 minutes left in the game. The Nigerian lads rallied and grabbed 4 goals in that time period to level things up, and then went on to progress after a nerve wracking penalty shootout. Unbelievable. I still recall FABIO LANIPEKUN going crazy on the radio that day, shouting and screaming. I don’t know how he managed not to lose his voice.
Who knows, perhaps Liverpool drew some inspiration from that game?
Surely d greatest come back ever in d history of football. If it were a British team, they would have had d world celebrate it every year. Congratulations to Liverpool’s never say die spirit, they hv borrowed a leaf from d Nigerian spirit.
Yea….His screams (either his or Oyebanji’s) still resonate in my ears till today. What a comeback.
Another of such crazy comebacks is cameroun’s 5-4 comeback victory against portugal after going down 0-4, in 2003 U17 WC in finland…what makes this one special is that all 5 goals were scored by one man – Serge Ngal.
Certainly….Liverpool has earned themselves the toga of being the ‘Never say never’ team of world football.
Congrats Liverpool….you desrve at least one trophy this season
Yes indeed. Actually, that game ended 5-5, with Cameroun coming back from 5 goals down, and Serge Ngal grabbed 2 goals out of the 5. As impressive as that feat was, Cameroun had to settle for a draw. So Nigeria stands alone for now as the only country in FIFA organized competition to comeback from such a huge deficit AND WIN THE MATCH.
Hmm…thanks for the refresher bro. Craziest match i’v ever seen
Did I say radio…..sorry, I meant TV!
It’s a goaaaaallll, it’s a goaalllll; Nigeria 4, the Soviet Union 4.
We were 4 goals down yet the boys came back!
4:1
4:2
4:3
4:4
I fell deeply in love with Nigerian national teams on that day and I have never looked back ever since.
Thanks Pompei, you almost brought tears to my eyes.
It’s one of our fantastic football memories. We had wonderful commentators back then…..FABIO LANIPEKUN, YINKA CRAIG, AKINLOYE OYEBANJI, and one that I love so much, the great MAINASARA ILO. It was a wonderful time to be a Nigeria football fan!
I love their spirit of doggedness!! Kudos to them… They’ll never walk alone.