On Might 7, 2019, we witnessed what’s arguably Anfield’s best ever night time – definitely the Reds’ best ever European comeback.
Whereas all of us bear in mind the targets, the feelings, the celebrations after full-time – and, after all, that we went on to win No. 6 in Madrid – there’s a lot about that night time that made it probably even higher than you recall.
With out even mentioning the very fact we have been 3-0 down from the primary leg, a scoreline that was removed from a good reflection of how nicely Liverpool truly performed within the Camp Nou, there’s a lot extra that made this scoreline in opposition to the chances.
“There’s hope and it’s soccer,” mentioned Jurgen Klopp in his pre-match press convention.
“If we will do it: great. If we will’t do it, let’s fail in essentially the most lovely method.”
Liverpool didn’t fail, and so they did it in essentially the most lovely method.
No Salah or Firmino…however extra to it than that
Had we gained this with the first-choice entrance three match and on type, blitzing the opposition like in European video games vs. Roma and Man Metropolis the season earlier than, it could nonetheless be unbelievable.
However there was no Mohamed Salah or Roberto Firmino, each injured.
In reality, the day earlier than the sport Liverpool had skilled with simply 14 outfield gamers, with Virgil van Dijk, Adam Lallana and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all working individually from their group as they carried harm points.
Naby Keita was additionally dominated out and there have been real claims that Rhian Brewster can be handed his first skilled look in senior soccer.
Brewster didn’t begin, however was among the many subs alongside fellow teenager Ben Woodburn.
Klopp as an alternative went with Divock Origi up entrance, with Sadio Mane on the left and Xherdan Shaqiri on the suitable…
Shaqiri’s first begin in FOUR months
That Shaqiri performed 90 minutes was a miracle in itself (he was subbed at 90 minutes for Daniel Sturridge).
The Swiss hadn’t began a match in 4 months earlier than this. And solely made six sub appearances throughout that point.
Simply as uncommon was Shaqiri lining up in a 4-3-3 formation, with Klopp having till then solely used him when adopting a 4-2-3-1 lineup.
The choice paid off, with Shaq aiding Wijnaldum’s second with an inch-perfect cross from the left.
Henderson’s harm
After half an hour, Jordan Henderson took a hefty blow to the knee and seemed set to be subbed off.
Gini Wijnaldum was stripped and able to come on, however Henderson went again on.
At half-time, Liverpool’s captain wasn’t within the altering room together with his team-mates. As an alternative, he was in a warm-up room throughout the hallway on an indoor bicycle with the intention to hold his knee from seizing up.
“The physician mentioned simply hold it transferring,” defined Henderson post-match. “I managed to get to half-time and I had a little bit of therapy, took painkillers, all that stuff. There was a jab and tablets. Each. All the pieces.
“I mentioned, ‘simply give us all the things’.”
Then Henderson went out and gave all the things on the pitch.
And Robertson’s harm…
Ten minutes after Henderson’s harm, it was Andy Robertson who was down after a conflict with Luis Suarez.
The Scot made it to half-time, however then got here that Wijnaldum sub.
We now had James Milner at left-back, no Salah, no Firmino, Henderson carrying an harm.
Alisson’s saves…
All people knew {that a} purpose for Barca would’ve meant Liverpool needing 5…with the Catalan’s tweet from the primary leg reminding us of that!
And so it was Alisson who made 5 huge saves on the night time: 4 of them with the rating at 1-0.
First from Messi, then a weak Phil Coutinho try, then from Jordi Alba on the stroke of half-time.
Suarez then was foiled simply earlier than Wijnaldum’s first purpose, then Messi was denied on the close to put up at 3-0.
Massive saves from the Brazilian.
Robbo actually obtained underneath Messi’s pores and skin
Andy Robbo actually obtained carried away within the emotion of the night time and actually obtained underneath the pores and skin of Messi.
Nonetheless, the second when he pushed the Argentinian behind the top he later admitted he regrets:
“I do look again on that second with Messi as one remorse. I don’t like seeing it. After I noticed it afterwards I used to be gutted.”
…and Suarez’s
Robbo had a working battle with Suarez within the first leg and the primary half of the second leg earlier than the pair clashed, forcing the Scot off injured.
However his response at full-time was one of the best half: “Who’s going to the ultimate? That’s all that issues.”
Trent’s humble response
A 21-year-old Trent was clearly moved by the emotion of the night time, however his response after all of the full-time celebrations had calmed confirmed his humility.
In any case the opposite gamers had left the pitch, he took a lap round to thank the followers and to drink in that environment.
It was a particular second, and even the Barca followers applauded him again.
“F**king mentality giants”
It was right here that Klopp actually obtained carried away with the mentality of his squad.
“I’ve watched so many soccer video games in my life and I can’t bear in mind rather a lot like this, taking part in in opposition to perhaps one of the best workforce on the planet,” he advised BT Sport post-match.
“Profitable is already tough, however profitable with a clear sheet…I don’t understand how the boys did it.
“These boys are fucking mentality giants, it’s unbelievable.”
There have been tears
There have been tears within the stands as emotional Reds witnessed a recreation for the ages, one they’ll inform the grandkids about and can stay perpetually in Liverpool’s folklore.
Followers on the Kop broke out into music as George Sephton performed John Lennon’s ‘Think about’, whereas Barcelona followers applauded from the other finish of the bottom.
There have been additionally tears from the gamers.
“I noticed James Milner crying after the sport on the pitch, it means a lot to all of us,” defined Klopp. “You can see the faces within the stadium.”
Shaqiri added: “We have been celebrating, a few of the guys have been crying.”
And at last, these full-time scenes
Watch it. Watch it for the emotion, the togetherness, the delight, the humility, the distinctiveness of this soccer membership.
Watch it to recollect one of many nights which have made Klopp’s reign at Liverpool so particular.
* A model of this text was first revealed in Might 2020.
