Sometimes a hard-fought victory feels sweeter than one that was never in question. Liverpool fans don't have to make the choice of which one they'd like to celebrate as they get to have both. A shaky first half with wave after wave of City attack washing over them fell away to a crisp and clinical second half as the Reds turned an early goal around to a 2-1 victory away from home in Europe sending the Reds into the semi-finals of Europe's biggest competition.
Game Story:
Pep Guardiola's change in line-up, including a back three of Kyle Walker, Nicholas Otamendi, and Aymeric Laporte, with Fernandinho occasionally dropping in as left-back, seemed to work early. Virgil van Dijk thought he was fouled and this slip in concentration gave City the dream start they'd been hoping for as van Dijk's attempted clearance pass was intercepted, Fernandinho gave it to Raheem Sterling, and Sterling squared it to Gabriel Jesus to give City the all important early strike. City continued the barrage as they set forth attack-after-attack against the Liverpool defense. But the Redmen stood up to the task as full-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson continued their fine form, Dejan Lovren had perhaps his best game in a Liverpool kit, and Virgil van Dijk settled down from his early mistake to sort out the troops and put in an outstanding performance.
A turning point in the match occurred in the 43rd minute (just a minute after Bernando Silva's long-range effort hit the inside of the post) when Loris Karius punched a cross away, however it was only to the lurking Gabriel Jesus who, being closed down by James Milner, sent it forward to Leroy Sane who turned it home, however it was ruled offside. Replay on the broadcast suggested this to be the wrong decision and manager Pep Guardiola was furious at the half as he got sent up to the stands. Instead of 2-0, Liverpool remained one goal back in the game, and two ahead in the tie.
Whatever Jurgen Klopp said to his men in the dressing room worked. City seemed a step slow and out of momentum opening the door for Mo Salah to turn in his 39th in all competitions this season. Mane forced a save from Ederson, who couldn't hold onto the ball, and the ball spilled for Salah who lofted a shot safely back into the net for goal number four over the two legs for Liverpool. If City weren't disheartened enough already, Otamendi was goaded into a mistake by Bobby Firmino who coolly slotted another home past Ederson. Liverpool were through after that, the next 15 minutes of game and added time were simply formalities. Liverpool had turned around a first half where nothing went well into a second half where they were simply wonderful.
How Did This Happen:
The Liverpool defense is no longer a unit to be joked about. Klopp has formed one of Europe's finest full-back pairings off a Scouse teenager and a left-back who five years ago was playing non-league football in Scotland. Just back in October Dejan Lovren had one of the worst performances of his career against Tottenham and was written off after being dropped for Ragnar Klavan. Now, he is turning in some of the best performances of his life in the highest-pressure situations alongside a man who has dreamed up a move to Liverpool since summer and finally gotten it in January. Outside of one early mistake, Liverpool's back-line was almost faultless holding Manchester City, England's soon-to-be champions, to a single goal in 180 minutes of European play.
When Jordan Henderson was suspended and Liverpool were left with three fit first team midfielders, nerves were clear. Instead what happened was a calm performance from Gini Wijnaldum. The make-shift holding midfielder was anything but that. Known to shine in big games, alongside an immense James Milner and 'good-as-usual' Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Wijnaldum did not let the bright lights overwhelm him. All three men bore down throughout the entire game and committed themselves to the cause of defending. Oxlade-Chamberlain did get free at times and gave Liverpool their best chance of the second half, but this was a night where the team defensive effort must not go unnoticed.
Quite frankly, it is hard to find words that have not already been said about the attack. The front three seem to always strike whenever given a chance. Salah was quieted rather well in the first half. Yet given the opportunity, he put away the tie-sealing goal. Firmino did what he does best and defended hard for a full 90 minutes. He was rewarded when his relentless pressing forced a mistake and he got a goal for himself. Sadio Mane was involved in a scrap early on in the first half. He was the man making the run and creating the chance for Salah's goal. The three men work as if they were poetry in motion. Their admiration around Liverpool, and around the world, is well-deserved.
What's Next:
The semi-finals! Roma trumped Barcelona 4-4 (away goals 1-0) meaning two teams have punched their ticket. Real Madrid seem primed to put Juventus away, and Bayern Munich still have work to do against Sevilla but they have the advantage. Liverpool continue their hunt for European Cup number six, but for now will turn their attention to securing top four in the Premier League. A home match with Bournemouth awaits on the weekend and winning three out of three would put them out of Chelsea's reach before they even have to venture to Stamford Bridge this season.
Liverpool seem to have found the line-up that will work best for them now until the end of the season, barring any injury. They will welcome Henderson back with open arms and hope players like Gomez, Lallana, and Emre Can all can return before the season's end from their injuries, but despite being shorthanded, Liverpool continue to impress and hope to shock the rest of Europe and make their fans dream.
Game Story:
Pep Guardiola's change in line-up, including a back three of Kyle Walker, Nicholas Otamendi, and Aymeric Laporte, with Fernandinho occasionally dropping in as left-back, seemed to work early. Virgil van Dijk thought he was fouled and this slip in concentration gave City the dream start they'd been hoping for as van Dijk's attempted clearance pass was intercepted, Fernandinho gave it to Raheem Sterling, and Sterling squared it to Gabriel Jesus to give City the all important early strike. City continued the barrage as they set forth attack-after-attack against the Liverpool defense. But the Redmen stood up to the task as full-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson continued their fine form, Dejan Lovren had perhaps his best game in a Liverpool kit, and Virgil van Dijk settled down from his early mistake to sort out the troops and put in an outstanding performance.
A turning point in the match occurred in the 43rd minute (just a minute after Bernando Silva's long-range effort hit the inside of the post) when Loris Karius punched a cross away, however it was only to the lurking Gabriel Jesus who, being closed down by James Milner, sent it forward to Leroy Sane who turned it home, however it was ruled offside. Replay on the broadcast suggested this to be the wrong decision and manager Pep Guardiola was furious at the half as he got sent up to the stands. Instead of 2-0, Liverpool remained one goal back in the game, and two ahead in the tie.
Whatever Jurgen Klopp said to his men in the dressing room worked. City seemed a step slow and out of momentum opening the door for Mo Salah to turn in his 39th in all competitions this season. Mane forced a save from Ederson, who couldn't hold onto the ball, and the ball spilled for Salah who lofted a shot safely back into the net for goal number four over the two legs for Liverpool. If City weren't disheartened enough already, Otamendi was goaded into a mistake by Bobby Firmino who coolly slotted another home past Ederson. Liverpool were through after that, the next 15 minutes of game and added time were simply formalities. Liverpool had turned around a first half where nothing went well into a second half where they were simply wonderful.
How Did This Happen:
The Liverpool defense is no longer a unit to be joked about. Klopp has formed one of Europe's finest full-back pairings off a Scouse teenager and a left-back who five years ago was playing non-league football in Scotland. Just back in October Dejan Lovren had one of the worst performances of his career against Tottenham and was written off after being dropped for Ragnar Klavan. Now, he is turning in some of the best performances of his life in the highest-pressure situations alongside a man who has dreamed up a move to Liverpool since summer and finally gotten it in January. Outside of one early mistake, Liverpool's back-line was almost faultless holding Manchester City, England's soon-to-be champions, to a single goal in 180 minutes of European play.
When Jordan Henderson was suspended and Liverpool were left with three fit first team midfielders, nerves were clear. Instead what happened was a calm performance from Gini Wijnaldum. The make-shift holding midfielder was anything but that. Known to shine in big games, alongside an immense James Milner and 'good-as-usual' Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Wijnaldum did not let the bright lights overwhelm him. All three men bore down throughout the entire game and committed themselves to the cause of defending. Oxlade-Chamberlain did get free at times and gave Liverpool their best chance of the second half, but this was a night where the team defensive effort must not go unnoticed.
Quite frankly, it is hard to find words that have not already been said about the attack. The front three seem to always strike whenever given a chance. Salah was quieted rather well in the first half. Yet given the opportunity, he put away the tie-sealing goal. Firmino did what he does best and defended hard for a full 90 minutes. He was rewarded when his relentless pressing forced a mistake and he got a goal for himself. Sadio Mane was involved in a scrap early on in the first half. He was the man making the run and creating the chance for Salah's goal. The three men work as if they were poetry in motion. Their admiration around Liverpool, and around the world, is well-deserved.
What's Next:
The semi-finals! Roma trumped Barcelona 4-4 (away goals 1-0) meaning two teams have punched their ticket. Real Madrid seem primed to put Juventus away, and Bayern Munich still have work to do against Sevilla but they have the advantage. Liverpool continue their hunt for European Cup number six, but for now will turn their attention to securing top four in the Premier League. A home match with Bournemouth awaits on the weekend and winning three out of three would put them out of Chelsea's reach before they even have to venture to Stamford Bridge this season.
Liverpool seem to have found the line-up that will work best for them now until the end of the season, barring any injury. They will welcome Henderson back with open arms and hope players like Gomez, Lallana, and Emre Can all can return before the season's end from their injuries, but despite being shorthanded, Liverpool continue to impress and hope to shock the rest of Europe and make their fans dream.
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