Liverpool scripted one of the greatest comebacks in Champions League history to beat Barcelona 4-3 on aggregate on Tuesday in the semifinal at Liverpool, overturning a three-goal deficit from their first leg match.
The win means Liverpool is only the third team in the history of the European Cup or Champions League to come from a three-goal first-leg deficit after Panathinaikos (1970-71) and Barcelona (1985-86).
The win was even more remarkable for Liverpool as star players Mohamed Salah and Brazilian Roberto Firmino were not playing due to injury. For Liverpool, Divock Origi and halftime substitute Georginio Wijnaldum scored two goals each.
Liverpool grabbed an early lead in the seventh minute when a low shot from Jordan Henderson was deflected by Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, only to go straight to Origi, who made no mistake. Liverpool defended well till the halftime break after which Wijnaldum hit a low cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold past Ter Stegen to make it 2-0 in the 54th minute.
Just two minutes after his first goal, Wijnaldum headed a cross from Xherdan Shaqiri to make the score 3-0. The final goal was by Origi who turned in a corner from Arnold, to give a 4-3 victory on aggregate.
Barcelona captain Lionel Messi was subdued in the match. Messi had played a key role in the first leg victory over Liverpool, scoring two of the three goals.
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Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp declared the win over Barcelona was “overwhelming... I would say it's impossible”. "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," Klopp stated.
In the Champions League final, Liverpool will play the winner of Wednesday's semi-final between Ajax Amsterdam and Tottenham Hotspur, with the Dutch side leading 1-0 from the first leg in London.
