Track Tickets
Last night Liverpool produced one of the greatest comebacks in Champions League history. They overcame a 3-0 first leg defeat against Barcelona to win the second leg 4-0 at home. This was the biggest comeback in the semi-final of the competition and one of the most incredible nights at Anfield. Not many people believed it could happen, even though Liverpool have had magical nights in Europe in the past, this seemed one step too far. However, no one should underestimate the power of Anfield and the spirit that Klopp has brought to this Liverpool side.
To think that Liverpool also played the match without two of their three main strikers is also incredible. They started well, pressing high and Barcelona looked shaky. Then in the 7th minute, a mistake from Alba let Mane get in behind him, pass the ball to Henderson who did very well to get a shot off, which Ter Stegen saved but went right into the path of Origi who as onside to get the first goal of the game. It was a great start for Liverpool and exactly what they wanted. Liverpool had a couple more chances early on but as the half went on Barcelona started to look more comfortable and also had a couple of good chances. Half time came at a good time for Liverpool as they were able to regroup and change the tactics a little as Robertson had to come off for Wijnaldum as Milner went to left back. In the 54th minute, Alexander-Arnold lost the ball in a good position but fought very hard to win the ball back and then crossed it in, taking a deflection, and landing right to Wijnaldum who smashed it in to give Liverpool hope. Two minutes later, Shaqiri got the ball on the right-hand side and put in a lovely weighted cross for it to be met by Wijnaldum again to head home and level the tie overall. Liverpool stepped off the gas a little after this goal and Barcelona seemed like they were slowly getting back into the game and could nick a goal. However, in the 79th minute, a moment of absolute genius and brilliance happened when Liverpool got a corner. Alexander-Arnold went over to take it but then started to walk away to let Shaqiri take it, but he saw that everyone had fallen asleep and that Origi was in the box alone, he took it quickly and Origi smashed it home to send Anfield into an absolute frenzy. It was a moment of absolute brilliance that Klopp was extremely happy with post-match as were all Liverpool fans.
Barcelona will be extremely disappointed that this is the second season that they get knocked out of the Champions League after winning the first leg by a three-goal margin. This was their chance to win another treble, and a chance for Messi to get one more over Ronaldo. However, now they will have to wait another year to try to win it. Liverpool are into their second Champions League final in a row and will hope to do one better than last year. They will face Ajax or Tottenham in the final, who play the second leg tonight.
