The miracle of Anfield has become reality! FC Liverpool are back in the final of the Champions League after a 4-0 win over FC Barcelona in the second leg. Reds coach Jürgen Klopp then spoke of “mentality giants” and had “100 percent merit” for a Liverpool player at the triumph. However, one match winner openly admitted to having been mad at Klopp.
SOCCERSCORE has summarized all voices and reactions to the miracle of Liverpool.
Jürgen Klopp (coach FC Liverpool) about …
… his feelings after the game: “The whole game was too much. It’s overwhelming. We played against maybe the best team in the world. It’s hard enough to win against them, but to win and not score a goal? I don’t know how we did it.”
… his belief in the miracle before the game: “Yes, in the chance in any case, not in the fact that it works. That’s what I have to say. But you don’t even need that before the game. You don’t have to do more than believe in the chance. And in the game, you have to work to keep it that way. I said before the game, even if it’s 0:0 after 80 minutes, in ten minutes crazy things can happen, you can score three, four goals.
… about the game: “Our pressing was sensational. But it also killed us a bit in the first half because we started although there were no pressing situations at all. We also offensively didn’t see some things, free people like Andrew Robertson or James Milner on the outside. That was still a great first half, though. Those emotions were insane.”
… to the curious 4:0 after a quickly executed corner: “That was an idea of Trent Alexander-Arnold. 20 years old, born here in Liverpool. What a guy. It’s unbelievable. I still talked to someone, then Ben Woodburn comes up to me and asks what just happened. I didn’t even see the gate.”
… to the match schedule: “We had to be cheeky and get our act together. That’s incredibly hard at 3-0. They’re mentality giants. It’s crazy what happened here.”
… whether he will always remember it: “I hope that in 50 years I will still be able to remember it. That would be cool. I’ve already told Divock, ‘All you have to do now is make sure you make children and they’ll be productive’. It’s an extraordinary night. I had players on the court after the game, they cried. This is gonna knock you out.”
… what this means for Liverpool and the players: “I saw James Milner crying on the pitch. It means so much to us. That’s the best thing about football. There are more important things in the world, but it is so great to create such an emotional atmosphere. It’s a knockout, with every fiber. I’m happy I got to be there.”
Alisson Becker (goalkeeper FC Liverpool): “That was 100 percent Jürgen Klopp’s merit.”
Giorgino Wijnaldum (double goalscorer and substitute FC Liverpool) on …
… the game: “Unbelievable! After the 3-0 win in Spain, we were convinced that we could score four goals and win 4-0. Everyone doubted us and thought we couldn’t make it. But we’ve shown it to everyone again.”
… his two goals: “I was very angry with the coach that I was sitting on the bench. I just wanted to help my team and I’m glad I did it with the two goals.”
Jordan Henderson (captain FC Liverpool) …
… to the sensational progress: “It is unbelievable! Not many believed in us. We knew it would be difficult, but we also knew it was possible.”
… why the miracle was possible: “We knew that we could create something very special here in Anfield. Look at these fans, this is a very special night, one of the best nights ever.”
… about the course of the game: “We wanted to be in it from the very beginning. The early gate helped us incredibly, but it wasn’t just that. We’ve been chasing them around and putting pressure on them. We knew that if we showed our character and our heart, we had a chance.”
Divock Origi (double goal scorer FC Liverpool) over …
… to his spectacular goal after a corner to 4-0: “It was pure instinct, I saw and used the opportunity. Everyone will remember this moment.”
… whether the corner ball variant had been rehearsed: “That was definitely rehearsed. Jürgen Klopp keeps saying that we have to react quickly when there are rooms – even in corners. I saw that I had space, then I challenged the ball and I put it in.”
… whether the game today was the best moment of his career: “Before the game I talked to my family for a long time. They told me this was gonna be my game. It’s incredible to have scored those two goals. It’s one of the most beautiful moments of my career.”
… his feelings after the game: “It’s difficult to put that into words. It was an absolutely incredible evening. Of course, the fans also played their part. I’ll dream of these fools for the rest of my life.”
… his two goals and his standing as match winner: “It’s more about the team than about my goals. We’ve done so well. We knew it was gonna be a special night. We wanted to fight for the injured players (Salah and Firmino).”
Ernesto Valverde (coach FC Barcelona) …
… about what the new end would mean for him: “I don’t know that. But the trainer has to take responsibility.”
… his feelings after the game: “It hurts incredibly. Especially our fans. They have to go through this for the second time in a row.”
… the course of the game: “After the two fast goals we were no longer in control after the break. We didn’t score a goal and then they really rolled over us.”
… the result: “This is terrible for us and our fans. This is all very, very unhappy. But my respect goes to FC Liverpool. We wanted to stand a little lower, that flew us with the fourth goal around the ears. After that, we found no more answers.”
Sergio Busquets (FC Barcelona): “I apologize to the fans because it happened again after Rome. That’s very hard.”
