Anfield is known to create magical European nights and tonight was certainly a special and an unforgettable night for those in attendance as Liverpool came back from 2-0 and 3-1 behind to win the game 4-3 and qualify for the Europa League semi-final.
No one expected Liverpool to win the game after Borussia Dortmund’s first 8-minute blitz which saw Henrik Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang give the visiting side a 2-0 lead. All the pre-match plans for The Reds went out of the window as need and desperation to qualify took over Anfield.
Ever since his arrival, Jurgen Klopp has asked Liverpool players and fans to believe that they can turn things around and tonight certainly they did it. Divock Origi led Liverpool’s comeback with a goal on 48th minute but Dortmund soon restored their 2-goal advantage through Marco Reus on 57th minute.
The real turning point in the tie came when Philippe Coutinho (who else) scored a sumptuous goal to take the score to 3-2. Suddenly Anfield sensed the possibility of a great European comeback from their team, however, no one would have guessed the comeback heroes.
Mamadou Sakho and Dejan Lovren have been widely criticized this season for their poor defending but they forgot all of that and decided to write their name in glory by scoring the third and fourth Liverpool goals on the night.
Mamadou Sakho on 78th minute scored from a crafty finish after Daniel Sturridge provided the telling touch from James Milner’s corner kick. From there on, there was just one result possible and it was Liverpool’s tie to throw away.
Next 12 minutes saw Anfield crying and urging their team to push forward and get the decisive goal. Aggregate score at the time was 3-3 but Dortmund were ahead courtesy the away goal but Liverpool were very close to finding the winner.
And it came from he big man Dejan Lovren who towered above everyone else to head home the winning goal and take Liverpool to the Europa League semi-finals.
Milner’s free kick was cleverly received by Sturridge who nutmegged Mkhitaryan to find Milner, who then hung up a teasing ball in the penalty box where Lovren stood tall and ensured that Liverpool create another inspiring and unforgettable European comeback at Anfield.
Tonight was a game where tactics went out of the window after first 8 minutes and it was about belief, heart and character shown by Jurgen Klopp’s side who passed his biggest test since taking over as the Liverpool manager.
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