In a truly historic night, Liverpool thrashed Barcelona 4-0 at Anfield to qualify for the Champions League final. The Reds overturned a devastating 3-0 first-leg defeat to qualify for their second consecutive Champions League final. What did we learn?
1. Ladies and Gentlemen, Trent Alexander-Arnold
When you're 20 years old and playing in your second Champions League semi-final, chances are you've made some good decisions in life. When you then proceed to continue to make good decisions pretty much all night long then chances are you might be pretty special.
Alexander-Arnold was left out of the first leg for fears over his defensive weakness being exploited by Barcelona. In the second leg, 3-0 down, Klopp had no option but to trust his miraculous young full-back and just hope that the Blaugrana wouldn't get at him.
Well, they did get at him a bit in the first half, and Klopp may have been feeling nervous, but Coutinho's performance spiralled into oblivion and Luis Suárez ran out of gas, so in the second half Alexander-Arnold found new freedom to attack. And that's when it got real.
A superb bit of play to skip by Jordi Alba and one bullet of a low cross (deflected, to be fair) later, Alexander-Arnold had created a second goal. Suddenly a comeback seemed actually plausible. Anfield roared to life and when Wijnaldum made it 3-0 later a winner seemed inevitable. And of course, it was Alexander-Arnold who provided it.
A corner is always a good chance to score a goal, there can be no doubt about that. But usually it's because of a towering physical effort from a player in the middle.
This time Alexander-Arnold saw the Barcelona players slacking and simply scorched in another low cross, a beauty of a thing that took everyone but Gerard Piqué by surprise, and allowed Divock Origi to hammer a winner home. Anfield erupted, all because of the improvisational genius of a kid, the coolest kid in the stadium. Ladies and Gentlemen, Trent Alexander-Arnold.
2. Roma Revisited: Ernesto Valverde is a coward
Barcelona entering the second leg of a European tie with a three-goal lead and put out an XI with no pace. This invited their opponents to press relentlessly and as a result they were overwhelmed and capitulated in a most ridiculous manner. The most ridiculous manner.
Now which game does that describe, Roma in 2018 or Liverpool in 2019? Trick question, it's both. Ernesto Valverde somehow made the same mistake again. Inexplicably made the same mistake again. The same mistakes again, really.
The same defensive line-up focusing on playing Liverpool at their game (Arturo Vidal being frenetic) than Barcelona playing their own (Arthur being composed). It was absurd to see Sergi Roberto, defensively culpable for two of the four goals conceded, start the game at right-back ahead of the defensive powerhouse Nelson Semedo.
The same reliance on Luis Suárez to lead a counter-attack when the man couldn't lead a spinning session at the local gym if it went longer than 30 minutes.
The same utter failure to provide Lionel Messi with anything in the way of a consistent out-ball in attack for him to make use of NOR get him the ball in promising positions, forcing him to dribble through four players to get a decent look at things.
The same nonsense bringing on his only fast forward when the opponent has finally taken the lead and thus will no longer play high with space in behind where pace could have been deadly. That same every god damn thing. Well, the only difference between Liverpool and Rome is that Coutinho played this time and Barcelona were wearing volt instead of blue.
If Ernesto Valverde makes it to the end of the season it will only be because Barcelona feel he deserves to have the chance to win the Copa del Rey final against Valencia.
Based on his hysterical failure to learn from his lessons and his continued stifling of Barcelona with his cowardly tactics and bottle a three-goal lead in Europe for two years running, he deserves to be sacked. Instantly, if we're being honest. They should leave him in Liverpool.
3. Three-Minute Warning
Georginio Wijnaldum came off the bench at half-time because of a knock to Andrew Robertson and took up position in central midfield. Unlike the midfielders who started, Wijnaldum is a serious threat in attack because he has sensational timing and an incredible athletic ability to leap into the air despite not being the tallest guy.
Back when Liverpool came from 3-0 down in the 2005 Champions League final against Milan the goals all came in a magical six-minute spell. Well at Anfield they were more spread out but two of the goals, the two which turned this comeback from “never give up!” to “hey, it's on, this!” came in a furious three-minute spell where Wijnaldum showed those killer qualities of his.
First his supremely well-timed run, held back long enough that he arrived at the top of the box to perfectly meet Alexander-Arnold's shot with a rasping strike so low and hard that Marc-André ter Stegen couldn't keep it out even though he got a hand on it.
Then just two minutes later, Xherdan Shaqiri billowed a beautiful leftie cross into the box and Wijnaldum rose beautifully and thumped a stunning header into the back of the net. From 1-0 to 3-0 in the blink of an eye, Wijnaldum's three-minute warning turned the tide.
4. Coutinho's Final Disgrace
Philippe Coutinho lost his place in the Barcelona side over the winter and looked for all the world like he was incapable of winning it back on his own merit. Whenever he was given the chance to play, he was terrible.
Then Ousmane Dembélé, the man who had taken his place, picked up a hamstring injury. This was his chance now! And to be fair to him he… didn't take it. Oh sure, he kept his place in the side but that was only because there was no other option.
The Liverpool tie offered him a chance for redemption, a chance to play Premier League opposition (the kind he always thrived against). His old club, no less! He was bright in spells in the first leg but faded as his Baby Lungs gave out.
In the second leg, however? He was absolutely terrible. No passes of substance, no runs, dispossessed easily and one weak shot which didn't trouble Alisson. He was hauled off on the hour for Nelson Semedo, his humiliation complete. It's hard to see any way back for him now. Sell him for a pack of crisps and some Lucozade. The biggest flop of all-time.
5. Divock of Destiny
Divock Origi was a joke. An afterthought. Liverpool had signed top-class forwards and he was relegated to the bench.
They loaned him out, then tried to sell him. No one would pay up so he stayed, a bit of depth? Why not. He'd never play. Except in their greatest moments of desperation, Jurgen Klopp turned to him and he answered the call.
First, against Everton. Second, against Newcastle. Late goals, late winners to keep a league title challenge alive every time it looked like faltering. Third, against Barcelona. Salah out. Firmino out. There's no way they can go through. But Origi was Johnny-on-the-spot yet again.
Stabbed home a rebound to open the scoring and thumped home Trent Alexander-Arnold's genius to end the scoring.
The Belgian bookended the night with goals that had a touch of destiny about them.
And with Alisson being the man in goal for both of Barcelona's Champions League capitulations and Divock Origi constantly showing up at the death like the Riders of Rohan, turning the tide of battle Liverpool's way, you'd be a fool to bet against them in Madrid.
Germany-lover
1311
this game was the definition of You'll Never Walk Alone.
Adams7187
490
From last night match,we can 100% say that valvarde is a coward and Liverpool is doing miracles
devbat52
358
I don't understand, why should I care if the players out there don't care for the match Why should I ruin my sleep if the players travelled to Anfield to take a nap on the field Rakitic, Busquets vanished , alba was pure shite , all right Messi missed some chances but he scored 12 goals and the limping number 9 and number 7 can't even help him Everyone is blaming Valverde, he has a very small role in it , those sleepy defenders and midfielders ............, maybe he just can't motivate his team and plss don't expect Messi to motivate them , all are 30+ , have played world cup finals , should know how to handle pressure and this is what we get from the experience in the team
possiblen
325
Last week: Liverpool got Barcelona’s version of Messi This week: Liverpool got Argentina’s version of Messi
King_Irvine
249
Valverde should be sacked with immediate effect. It's better for a waterboy to take his place and then get a new coach next season.
Murugan
247
Barcelona Fans... (Including Me) 😭😭
Jowabckmor
215
Some players struggle to get a famous shirt-number, some make a shirt-number famous. TAA belong to the latter class. #66
Fotackst
172
Valverde poor racist who is not qualified to coach Barcelona. A coach who does not learn from his mistakes. How one can start Coutino ahead of Dembele in the first leg and Sergio Roberto ahead of Semedo in the second leg. This shows that he has poor decision making.Until they stop discriminating aganist blacks Barcelona will not win EUFA. Lenglet is not better than Umtiti bt its becoz of racism. France coach is not a racist hence he prefers Umtiti to Lenglet. Poor Valverde shld be saked. He is a slow learner am sorry to say that.Dembele shld leave that club an join Liverpool where black skin if tolerated. Leave the racist Dembele they will kill yr talent look at what they did to Eto
iLoveAss
159
This man not getting enough praise, made liverpool great again, respect
Murugan
148
Official : Juventus Fans Going To England To Meet Liverpool Say Congrats 😆
Shuntamallett
116
2018 Barcelona vs Roma: 4-1 Roma vs Barcelona: 3-0 2019 Barcelona vs Liverpool: 3-0 Liverpool vs Barcelona: 4-0 Yeah making the extraordinary seem normal 😂🤣
Moccame
97
If you told me before kick off Liverpool would beat Barca 4-0 with goals from Origi & Wijnaldum I would have called you mad ... What a performance from Liverpool ... Canny quit believe that 👏👏👏
Yemistrokes
81
Comparing TAA's and Coutinho's crosses: One CROSS won the match. The other CROSS (from Liverpool to Barca) led into obscurity.
MorlikaJaid
72
THE MAN❤🔴🔴
Zacbcku
61
As a utd fan, I'd like to congratulate Liverpool for this historic comeback and wish a final between a PL rival. For my team, this game should push utd to go for coutinho whom obviously will never be trusted again by neither barca board, fans, coach nor teammates. he could be a good pogba replacement as he thrives more at left midfield than left wing where clueless valverde plays him. To barca fans, I always tell them valverde is a fraud hiding behind messi. No messi, no barca. And when messi doesn't do his magic, barca is nothing.Even my poor utd could beat them if we were serious.They were not dangerous vs us but relied on messi only
Bigmullar
33
Suarez how market.
DEJI22
8
Valverde poor racist who is not qualified to coach Barcelona. A coach who does not learn from his mistakes. How one can start Coutino ahead of Dembele in the first leg and Sergio Roberto ahead of Semedo in the second leg. This shows that he has poor decision making.Until they stop discriminating aganist blacks Barcelona will not win EUFA. Lenglet is not better than Umtiti bt its becoz of racism. France coach is not a racist hence he prefers Umtiti to Lenglet. Poor Valverde shld be saked. He is a slow learner am sorry to say that.Dembele shld leave that club an join Liverpool where black skin if tolerated. Leave the racist Dembele they will kill yr talent look at what they did to Eto
I hate when people play the race card, I'm black but i don't see anything wrong with his selection. If Barca had won, will u be saying this? Roberto is Barca first choice right back and Coutinho is a 160million signing, You wanna pay dz and not give the player a chance? Hell No. Pls not every decision against black are race intended. I pray the Lord enlighten you more.
tamdpsu
8
Official : Juventus Fans Going To England To Meet Liverpool Say Congrats 😆
please give it to me please ...😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
ST-B
8
Official : Juventus Fans Going To England To Meet Liverpool Say Congrats 😆
and were exactly the Barca fans going ...? maybe to sleep early 🤣