UEFA Champions League on Tuesday evening revealed the first participant of the 2018-19 season final. With the help of a real miracle, Jurgen Klopp's team "Liverpool" became that participant.
Having brought back a three-goal deficit from Barcelona, "Liverpool", even without two of their attacking stars, managed to score four goals against "Barca" and sensationally cleared the way to the final for the second consecutive year.
Before the match, there were few doubts about which club would play in the final on June 1. "Barca" won the first match 3-0, so at least one goal at "Anfield" stadium would have practically buried the "Liverpool" team.
However, the "Reds" ignored the preliminary predictions and caused problems for their opponents from Catalonia right from the start of the match. Replacing Salah and Firmino in attack with Shaqiri and Origi, their energy matched that of their teammates.
In the 7th minute at "Anfield" stadium, hope sparkled when after a successful play by Jordan Henderson in the penalty area, D. Origi precisely struck into the net. Marc-Andre ter Stegen blocked the first shot by J. Henderson, but the ball conveniently landed at the Belgian's feet and soon found the back of the net.
No more goals fell in the first half. At the end of the half, Jordi Alba found himself in a situation where he was left alone with the goalkeeper, but Alisson, who played excellently throughout the match, did not let the ball pass.
In the second half, Jurgen Klopp, who had to make a forced substitution with Andrew Robertson's replacement, made a perfect move - G. Wijnaldum, who was great in the area, soon overwhelmed the entire "Barcelona" team.
In the 54th minute, the second goal fell into the Catalan net when after a great pass from Trent Alexander-Arnold, G. Wijnaldum sent the ball into the goal with a powerful strike through Ter Stegen's hands.
The story of "Liverpool" and G. Wijnaldum did not end there - just two minutes later, the Dutchman equalized the semi-final result with a stunning header. G. Wijnaldum perfectly directed the ball goalwards when Shaqiri sent a high pass into the penalty area.
Even after that goal, "Liverpool" still could not feel safe - such a result led the teams into extra time, but at least one goal for "Barca" would have meant that the hosts would need to score two.
That scenario did not happen: even after the third goal, "Liverpool" continued to dominate and in the 79th minute entered a true euphoria - T. Alexander-Arnold, near the corner flag, saw opponents out of position in the penalty area and with a surprising pass found D. Origi, who redirected the ball into the goal, thus leading the "Liverpool" team into the final.
In the remaining time, "Barca" tried to fight back, but even though they took control of the ball, the visitors did not create any real opportunities towards Alisson's goal. "Liverpool" celebrated a sensational victory, while "Barca" left the tournament after two consecutive matches with a victory margin of three goals.
"Liverpool" will face with Amsterdam's "Ajax" in the final in Madrid - the winner of the London's "Tottenham" pair.
Score:
"Liverpool" 4 - 0 "Barcelona" (First leg: 0-3, final score: 4-3)
7' [1 - 0] D. Origi
54' [2 - 0] G. Wijnaldum
56' [3 - 0] G. Wijnaldum
79' [4 - 0] D. Origi
Starting line-ups:
"Liverpool": Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Milner, Henderson; Shaqiri, Mane, Origi.
"Barcelona": Ter Stegen; Roberto, Pique, Lenglet, Alba; Busquets, Rakitic, Vidal; Messi, Coutinho, Suarez.
