How Reds pulled off Mission Impossible

A SENSE of disbelief still grips Merseyside after the extraordinary events of Tuesday night when Liverpool defied logic to dump Barcelona out of the Champions League.

The 4-0 victory, which avenged the first leg 3-0 defeat in Catalonia, has propelled Liverpool into their ninth European Cup final and the story of the remarkable 90 minutes that set up the prospect of them winning the biggest trophy of all will be told – and retold – until June 1.

Here we analyse how manager Jurgen Klopp, pictured, and his relentless players carved a place for themselves in history and showed why it never, ever pays to give up. City, hoping and praying for a favour in the title race. Vincent Kompany’s wonder strike, then, was a like a dagger, skewering their dreams.

They reported to Hope Street Hotel, their usual base, on Tuesday morning to begin preparations. Without Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino, many viewed the task as being beyond them but Klopp has created a culture where pessimism or being defeatist is not allowed.

Away from the cameras on

Monday afternoon, you could detect from Klopp that he knew there was a glimmer of hope and he intimated there would be tactics to take Barcelona by surprise. In his own methodical and calm way, he got the message across that there was an opportunity for Liverpool.

By the time the team coach made its way through plumes of red smoke on Anfield Road, the group were in a state of mind that enabled them to fly out the blocks.

There was no hangover from what City had achieved, in the same way Barcelona’s first leg win had not left any permanent scars. position to make the save had he gone forward?

The second came at half-time on Tuesday. Robertson’s injury ensured he could not carry on and the switch saw Milner move to left-back, with Gini Wijnaldum bolstering the midfield. One change was necessary; a second at that point would have been a calamity.

Liverpool’s medical team, however, worked overtime on Henderson, whose knee had been damaged in a collision. He had a jab to numb the discomfort and some painkillers to go with intense treatment.

Henderson had been outstanding and to lose his leadership would have been critical.

Then there was the fourth and final goal. Alexander-arnold was praised for his ingenuity but an edict to the ball boys at Anfield to get the ball back as soon as possible – Liverpool’s technical staff had spotted Barcelona dawdling at set pieces – was key.

Oakley Cannonier, a 14-year-old from Liverpool’s Academy, hurried the ball to Alexander-arnold.