Champions League - Semi-finals - 2nd Leg
LiverpoolLiverpool4BarcelonaBarcelona0

Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona (4-3 agg): Jurgen Klopp's side complete extraordinary comeback

By Chris BevanBBC Sport at Anfield
Divock Origi
Divock Origi's early goal set Liverpool on their way to a remarkable victory

Liverpool are into their second successive Champions League final after overcoming Barcelona with a stunning second-leg fightback on an epic night at Anfield.

Roared on relentlessly by their fans, the Reds produced an incredible all-action display to claw back and then ultimately overturn their 3-0 deficit from the Nou Camp with an unanswered four-goal salvo in thrilling style.

It is the first time since 1986 - when Barcelona knocked out Gothenburg in the old European Cup - that a team have recovered a three-goal first-leg deficit to win a semi-final in this competition.

Divock Origi started the unlikely revival, tapping home from close range after seven minutes, but it was only when substitute Georginio Wijnaldum scored twice in the space of 122 seconds after the break that the tie truly swung in Liverpool's favour.

Barcelona were rattled, and even Lionel Messi was unable to steady the ship before Origi struck again with the goal that would decide the tie on aggregate, after Trent Alexander-Arnold caught the visitors' defence napping from a corner.

By now Anfield was rocking and the home fans stayed on their feet to cheer their side home in the closing minutes, with a shell-shocked Barca side unable to fashion any serious response.

The final whistle brought delirious celebrations on the pitch and in the stands, where the Reds supporters had played their part in an unforgettable match.

Liverpool have managed famous European fightbacks before, notably when they won this competition for the fifth time in Istanbul in 2005, but this was arguably the greatest in their glittering history.

They will go for a sixth triumph in Madrid on 1 June, where they will meet either Ajax or Tottenham in the final.

Press, harry, hassle - Barca outfought by Liverpool

Few people gave Liverpool any hope after the size of their defeat in Spain last week, especially with Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino out injured.

But Reds boss Jurgen Klopp urged his players to keep believing, and masterminded an extraordinary performance and result.

Origi and Wijnaldum, who replaced the injured Andy Robertson at half-time, provided the goals but Liverpool had heroes all over the pitch.

Just as Klopp promised before the game, Liverpool did not stop - maintaining an astonishing tempo to press, harry and hassle their illustrious visitors, and ultimately defeat them.

The Barca defence struggled to deal with Origi's physical presence throughout and it was the big Belgian who supplied the first goal, firing home after Marc-Andre ter Stegen failed to hold Jordan Henderson's shot.

More pressure followed but Barca held out until after half-time, when Wijnaldum burst into the box to meet Alexander-Arnold's low cross and hammer his shot home.

Moments later, Liverpool were level on aggregate. This time it was Xherdan Shaqiri who provided the cross for Wijnaldum to rise and head home.

Barca were buckling under the pressure and they could not hold out. Liverpool sealed a famous victory 11 minutes from time when Alexander-Arnold feigned to leave a corner before quickly sweeping it into the box for the alert Origi to convert.

Deja vu for Barcelona

Lionel Messi
Defeat means this will be the first Champions League final without Messi or Juventus' Cristiano Ronaldo since 2013

Barca have been here before, being beaten 3-0 by Roma in the quarter-finals last year to go out after winning the first leg 4-1, and their wait for a first final since 2015 continues.

They were comprehensively out-fought and out-thought here, and although they did have chances they cannot argue they deserved anything but a defeat.

There was only a brief spell in the first half when La Liga's champions threatened to find their rhythm but, in the space of five minutes, Alisson denied Messi and Philippe Coutinho, and Jordi Alba inexplicably chose to pass the ball with only the Liverpool keeper to beat.

Messi, so electric a week ago, would go on to have a rare night to forget - especially in the second half when Wijnaldum's goals put the tie back in the balance.

Suarez was also anonymous, with his only notable role coming as the pantomime villain as he was booed relentlessly by the fans who used to worship him.

He had his side's best opportunity of the second half, when Messi slid him clear with the score still 1-0 on the night, but Alisson was alert and that was pretty much the last time the visitors threatened.

The 122 seconds that turned the tie around

Georginio Wijnaldum scores Liverpool's second goal on the night
Georginio Wijnaldum made it 2-0 in the 54th minute with a low drive...
Wijnaldum heads in Liverpool's third goal at Anfield to square the tie at 3-3
... and 122 seconds later Wijnaldum powered home a header to make it 3-3 on aggregate

Man of the match - Sadio Mane (Liverpool)

Sadio Mane
It is hard to pick out a standout performer but Mane's superb display up front deserves recognition. He did not get on the scoresheet but he tormented the Barca defence from start to finish with his intelligent runs and hold-up play.

Liverpool join exclusive club - the stats

  • Liverpool have reached their ninth European Cup/Champions League final - only Real Madrid (16), Milan (11) and Bayern Munich (10) have reached more.
  • They are the first English side to reach back-to-back Champions League finals since Manchester United (2008 and 2009).
  • This was just the fourth time a team has overturned a three-or-more goal deficit from the first leg of a Champions League (not European Cup) knockout tie to progress. Barcelona were also on the receiving end the last time (against Roma last season).
  • Barcelona have now been eliminated from three of their past four Champions League semi-final ties.
  • La Liga's current champions suffered their heaviest-ever defeat against an English side in all European competitions.
  • Full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold has provided 14 assists in all competitions this season, more than any other Liverpool player.
  • Divock Origi scored his first Champions League goals, and in doing so became the 50th different player to score in the competition for Liverpool (excluding own goals).
  • Georginio Wijnaldum is the first Liverpool player to score twice from the bench in a Champions League game since Ryan Babel against Besiktas in 2007. He is also the first substitute to score twice in a single game against Barcelona in the competition.
  • Lionel Messi either attempted (five) or created (three) all eight of Barcelona's shots against Liverpool in this match.

What next?

Liverpool will seek another success against the odds when they return to Premier League action on Sunday. They host Wolves in their final game of the season (15:00 BST) hoping results go their way to turn around a one-point deficit and take the title from Manchester City, who are at Brighton.

Line-ups

Liverpool

Formation 4-3-3

  • 13Alisson
  • 66Alexander-Arnold
  • 32MatipBooked at 66mins
  • 4van Dijk
  • 26RobertsonSubstituted forWijnaldumat 45'minutes
  • 14Henderson
  • 3FabinhoBooked at 11mins
  • 7Milner
  • 23ShaqiriSubstituted forSturridgeat 90'minutes
  • 27OrigiSubstituted forGomezat 85'minutes
  • 10Mané

Substitutes

  • 5Wijnaldum
  • 6Lovren
  • 12Gomez
  • 15Sturridge
  • 22Mignolet
  • 24Brewster
  • 58Woodburn

Barcelona

Formation 4-4-2

  • 1ter Stegen
  • 20Roberto
  • 3Piqué
  • 15Lenglet
  • 18Alba
  • 22VidalSubstituted forArthurat 75'minutes
  • 5BusquetsBooked at 45mins
  • 4RakiticBooked at 53minsSubstituted forMalcomat 80'minutes
  • 7CoutinhoSubstituted forNélson Semedoat 60'minutesBooked at 75mins
  • 10Messi
  • 9Suárez

Substitutes

  • 2Nélson Semedo
  • 8Arthur
  • 13Cillessen
  • 14Malcom
  • 23Umtiti
  • 24Vermaelen
  • 26Aleñá
Referee:
Cüneyt Çakir
Attendance:
52,212

Match Stats

Home TeamLiverpoolAway TeamBarcelona
Possession
Home43%
Away57%
Shots
Home13
Away8
Shots on Target
Home7
Away5
Corners
Home7
Away6
Fouls
Home12
Away9

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Liverpool 4, Barcelona 0.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Liverpool 4, Barcelona 0.

  3. Post update

    Foul by Nélson Semedo (Barcelona).

  4. Post update

    James Milner (Liverpool) wins a free kick on the left wing.

  5. Post update

    Foul by Lionel Messi (Barcelona).

  6. Post update

    Fabinho (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  7. Post update

    Offside, Liverpool. Jordan Henderson tries a through ball, but Sadio Mané is caught offside.

  8. Substitution

    Substitution, Liverpool. Daniel Sturridge replaces Xherdan Shaqiri.

  9. Post update

    Foul by Arthur (Barcelona).

  10. Post update

    Fabinho (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  11. Post update

    Delay over. They are ready to continue.

  12. Post update

    Delay in match Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) because of an injury.

  13. Post update

    Attempt missed. Xherdan Shaqiri (Liverpool) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by James Milner following a set piece situation.

  14. Substitution

    Substitution, Liverpool. Joseph Gomez replaces Divock Origi because of an injury.

  15. Post update

    Delay over. They are ready to continue.

  16. Post update

    Delay in match Divock Origi (Liverpool) because of an injury.

  17. Post update

    Hand ball by Jordi Alba (Barcelona).

  18. Substitution

    Substitution, Barcelona. Malcom replaces Ivan Rakitic.

  19. Goal!

    Goal! Liverpool 4, Barcelona 0. Divock Origi (Liverpool) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the top left corner. Assisted by Trent Alexander-Arnold following a corner.

  20. Post update

    Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Sergi Roberto.

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