Liverpool go through to EL semis after stunning Anfield comeback
There have been some crazy and wonderful European nights at Anfield over the years, but this might just top the lot.
Liverpool hosted Borussia Dortmund knowing that a 0-0 would send them safely through to the Europa League semi-finals on away goals. Dortmund knew they needed to score at any point to progress.
And so begun a night of unbelievable drama.
The buildup to this one began much earlier on in the day, with thousands of both Liverpool and Dortmund fans in the city centre throughout the afternoon chanting and drinking together, they then all made their way to the ground hours prior to kickoff to welcome the team bus with an incredible parade. The stadium was over half-full an hour before kick off.
A stunning rendition of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ was an emotional moment, as The Kop and the visiting Borussia Dortmund fans held up mosaics to remember the 96 football fans who died at Hillsborough 27 years ago. There was then a minute’s silence, which ended with a huge roar of anticipation from a sellout Anfield crowd.
All that anticipation, however, was wrecked in the first 10 minutes of the game. Henry Mkhitaryan cancelled out Liverpool’s away goal in the first 5 minutes, getting the rebound after goalkeeper Simon Mignolet fabulously saved Pierre-Emerick Aubamayang’s effort, and then it was Aubamayang himself who got a second for the visitors 4 minutes later, with a ball played behind Sakho setting him up and an emphatic finish in front of The Kop.
It was after this that Liverpool found their way into the game, and they fashioned plenty of chances in the remaining 35 minutes of the half, with Alberto Moreno, Adam Lallana and Divock Origi all having chances to get a goal before half time. Dortmund however, were always a threat, and seemed to have Liverpool outnumbered in midfield, there were massive gaps of space for their front 3 men to run into every time they had the ball. Their holding midfielders had the freedom of the centre-circle to do with that they pleased every time they had possession.
Maybe if one of those chances had gone in, we wouldn’t have seen such a breathtaking second half.
The first wave of hope was instilled early on for Liverpool, with Divock Origi getting onto the end of a lovely ball from Emre Can to poke it past goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller. However, Anfield was stunned once again soon after, as an inch perfect ball from defender Mats Hummels found Marco Reus, who tucked away a world-class finish to cap off a wonderful performance.
Liverpool were back to square one, but didn’t give up. Needing 3 goals in half an hour, Jurgen Klopp brought on Joe Allen and Daniel Sturridge, with Roberto Firmino and and Adam Lallana leaving the pitch.
These substitutions proved to be vital. Joe Allen completely changed the game and brought a bit more life and control into Liverpool’s midfield. Not long after his entrance, Phillipe Coutinho tucked away a fine effort to being the score to 3-2, 4-3 on aggregate. The crowd was suddenly lifted, and that belief maybe something special was happening was in the air.
With 12 minutes to and Liverpool still needing 2 goals, Coutinho whipped in a corner and brief break in play for Emre Can to get some treatment for an ankle injury. The corner came in, and Mamadou Sakho flicked in into the bottom corner for the Reds. 3-3. Liverpool and Anfield were buzzing, miracles were possible. Dortmund were still ahead on away goals, but Liverpool had belief.
Can was eventually substituted off, still hobbling shortly after the goal. It was a change Jurgen Klopp was perhaps not planning to make, as Lucas Leiva came onto the field, not the most attacking option still left on the bench. It was possible Klopp would’ve preferred to bring on young attacking talent Sheyi Ojo.
This was irrelevant in the end however, as upon entering stoppage time, Liverpool picked up a free-kick more than 40 yards from goal. James Milner, who had been poor at set-pieces all night, especially with his delivery from corners, opted to this time play a ground pass to Sturridge inside the right-hand side of the penalty area. The England international initially struggled to get the ball out of his feet but in the end found a clever pass back to Milner, who had made an inside run into the penalty box. Milner chipped delightfully to the back post, and centre-back Dejan Lovren headed the ball home to send Anfield crazy.
Dortmund had crumbled, their fans watched on in horror as The Kop smothered Lovren and the team during the celebrations. Jurgen Klopp, having emphatically celebrated Liverpool’s first 3 goals, was the calmest man in the ground as he just watched the crowd and soaked up the atmosphere.
Anfield has experienced another night to remember in Europe, and will now have the belief they can go on and win the whole competition. They’ll face fierce competition from either Sevilla, Shakhtar Donetsk and Villareal in the semi-finals however, another test that’ll bring another bouncing atmosphere to Merseyside. The draw takes place at 11:30am UK time today.
By Ben Kelly – @benkelly_10
