Liverpool: Liverpool are into their successive Champions League final after handing Barcelona 4-0 defeat in the second leg of Champions League semifinal on Tuesday. This was, undoubtedly, one of the greatest comebacks in the Champions League history as Liverpool overturned a three-goal first-leg deficit and advanced to their second successive Champions League final with a 4-3 aggregate win.
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A brace each from striker Divock Origi and halftime substitute Georginio Wijnaldum left Lionel Messi and Barcelona utterly shell-shocked as the Reds demonstrated a superb performance which was full of passion, confidence and determination.
Jurgen Klopp's side will now face the winner of Wednesday's other semi-final between Ajax Amsterdam and Tottenham Hotspur, another EPL club in the mix. The Dutch club is currently leading the tie with 1-0 narrow first-leg win in London.
“It was overwhelming. I would say it’s impossible,” said Klopp, amid wild celebrations at the final whistle when his team stood in front of their famous Kop stand to sing, ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ with fans.
“Playing against the best team in the world. Winning with a clean sheet, I don’t know how the boys did it. It’s unbelievable,” added the German.
“I saw James Milner crying after the game on the pitch. It means so much to all of us. There are more important things in the world but creating this emotional atmosphere together is so special.”
Meanwhile, Liverpool became the only third team in the history of the European League or Champions League to win a match coming from three goals down after the first leg of a semi-final and progress after Panathinaikos in 1970-71 and Barcelona in 1985-86.
Their victory against Barcelona will also bring back the memories of 2005 when Liverpool came back from 3-0 down at halftime to win on penalties against AC Milan in Istanbul.
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For Barcelona, who were knocked out on away goals to AS Roma in the quarter-finals last year, after winning the first-leg 4-1, it was a bitter occasion that will raise many questions for coach Ernesto Valverde.
Messi magic fails
Messi, whose two goals in the first leg had given his team a seemingly comfortable advantage, was unable to influence the game with an away goal that would have been decisive.
The scoreline was remarkable enough in itself, but the fact that Liverpool overcame five-times European champions Barcelona without two-thirds of their usual strike force made it extraordinary.
