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, in fact, that we went on to win No. 6 in Madrid – there’s a lot about that night time that made it presumably even higher than you recall.
With out even mentioning the very fact we had been 3-0 down from the primary leg, a scoreline that was removed from a good reflection of how effectively Liverpool truly performed within the Camp Nou, there’s lots extra that made this scoreline in opposition to the percentages.
“There’s hope and it’s soccer,” stated Jurgen Klopp in his pre-match press convention.
“If we will do it: fantastic. If we will’t do it, let’s fail in essentially the most lovely means.”
Liverpool didn’t fail, they usually did it in essentially the most lovely means.
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 will nonetheless be unbelievable.
However there was no Mohamed Salah or Roberto Firmino, each injured.
In actual fact, the day earlier than the sport Liverpool had educated with simply 14 outfield gamers, with Virgil van Dijk, Adam Lallana and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all working individually from their group as they carried damage points.
Naby Keita was additionally dominated out and there have been real claims that Rhian Brewster could 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 a substitute went with Divock Origi up entrance, with Sadio Mane on the left and Xherdan Shaqiri on the appropriate…
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 helping Wijnaldum’s second with an inch-perfect cross from the left.
Henderson’s damage
After half an hour, Jordan Henderson took a hefty blow to the knee and appeared 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 along 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 stated simply hold it transferring,” defined Henderson post-match. “I managed to get to half-time and I had a little bit of remedy, took painkillers, all that stuff. There was a jab and tablets. Each. All the things.
“I stated, ‘simply give us all the pieces’.”
Then Henderson went out and gave all the pieces on the pitch.
And Robertson’s damage…
Ten minutes after Henderson’s damage, 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 damage.
Alisson’s saves…
All people knew {that a} objective 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 large 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 objective, then Messi was denied on the close to submit at 3-0.
Massive saves from the Brazilian.
Robbo actually received below Messi’s pores and skin
Andy Robbo actually received carried away within the emotion of the night time and actually received below the pores and skin of Messi.
Nevertheless, 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. Once I noticed it afterwards I used to be gutted.”
…and Suarez’s
Robbo had a operating 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 the very 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 spite of everything the opposite gamers had left the pitch, he took a lap round to thank the followers and to drink in that ambiance.
It was a particular second, and even the Barca followers applauded him again.
“F**king mentality giants”
It was right here that Klopp actually received 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 possibly the very best crew on the planet,” he advised BT Sport post-match.
“Successful is already tough, however successful 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 sport for the ages, one they’ll inform the grandkids about and can dwell endlessly in Liverpool’s folklore.
Followers on the Kop broke out into track as George Sephton performed John Lennon’s ‘Think about’, whereas Barcelona followers applauded from the alternative 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 would see the faces within the stadium.”
Shaqiri added: “We had been celebrating, among the guys had been crying.”
And eventually, these full-time scenes
Watch it. Watch it for the emotion, the togetherness, the satisfaction, the humility, the individuality 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 printed in Might 2020.
