It was not always easy. But it was nearly always done with style. Jurgen Klopp's Redmen soared across the continent of Europe claiming victories and scoring goals at every stop. The journey has been long. It has spanned from the second game of the season in the playoff round, to the final game of the season in the final. It has all been worth it. It has been the ride of a decade.
The Beginning:
The playoff draw was not the most favorable to the Reds, according to some. Hoffenheim was managed by boy genius, Julian Nagelsmann. They had just lost Nikolas Sule and Sebastian Rudy to Bayern Munich, sure, but Sandro Wagner and Kevin Vogt still heavily featured as did Munich loanee and Olympic hero Serge Gnabry. This was a season of optimism, but the method of drawing at Watford (3-3 off what could have been a goal ruled out for offside) combined with the Phil Coutinho saga put a damper on the mood early. Sure they were still full of talent, but a soul-sucking draw seemed a bit tough to bounce back from. In just just 12th minute of the first leg, Hoffenheim drew a penalty. Certainly there were fans that were cursing their luck. Andrej Kramaric stepped up to take. The former Leicester City man shot it straight down the middle. No trouble. No trouble at all. Simon Mignolet punched it clear. Crisis averted.
In the 35th, a free kick was given. Coutinho range. Not anymore. With no Coutinho to take, a legend was born. 19-year-old Trent Alexander-Arnold sent a brilliant shot past Oliver Baumann in net. 1-0. The Scouser had done it in his first Champions League match. An own goal off a James Milner cross made it two. This night, not even Mark Uth's late goal could take the spirit off the Liverpool supporters. It was a 2-1 away win. Off we go. The first step was taken.
Hoffenheim were in striking range still, however. Then there were warning bells. Nagelsmann talked of how his players would not be affected by Anfield. He should have asked Marcelino, of Villarreal fame, how speaking about Anfield usually goes. Almost as soon as he said it, it seemed that Hoffenheim, as good as they were, had hit the point of no return. Very few speak ill of Anfield. Fewer walk out of the stadium to continue to do so. Emre Can in the 10th. Mo Salah in the 18th. Can again in the 21st. 3-0 in barely 20 minutes.
From: "I'm not in awe of this club. We know it's a big name with a lot of history. But I'm looking forward to it. 'We've shown in the first leg that we coped well with them. We can deal with fast attackers."
To: "We were running around like headless chickens. The team showed a bit too emotion and we left too many gaps."
Anfield had bettered Hoffenheim. Liverpool's rampant attack had battered Hoffenheim. Hoffenheim eventually pulled one back. Liverpool got another. Wagner got his only goal of the tie. It was a 6-3 aggregate victory. The first of many multi-goal score-lines in Europe for Klopp's men. This was the first test for Liverpool. Could they handle the pressure of two-leg European Champions League 'win or go home' football? They absolutely could. And so they were off to the group stages.
Reds on Fire:
Spartak Moscow. Sevilla. NK Maribor. Each opponent presented something different for Liverpool to take from them on their journey, as if they were a minor boss in a video game on their quest for the final "big bad" boss.
From Spartak Moscow: Never overlook an away leg. It was clear to fans that Liverpool had the quality edge on Spartak. Leading towards their first meeting the Russian side were scuffling along upon their first meeting in the Russian Premier League. Instead, even with Coutinho, Liverpool could only muster up one goal to equalize at one with a little over a half hour gone by. It's one thing to have a stronger side than a team. It's another thing to actually go out and prove it twice. Liverpool learned that here.
From Sevilla: Never forsake a lead. Up 1-0. Up 2-1 at the half. Up 3-0 at the half away. Liverpool spent much of both games against Sevilla in the lead. Instead of six points, they were only able to get two from their two meetings. The lesson learned was not 'play defensively once you get the lead.' That's not the Liverpool method of operation. The key here was to not devalue the lead. To stay focused. Alberto Moreno had a pair of mental lapses leading to a goal and a converted penalty kick against his former team. A 3-0 lead was drained away at one of Spain's toughest away stadiums. Liverpool learned. No matter the lead, the job must be done.
From Maribor: Show your quality. Again, with all due respect to Maribor, Liverpool overmatched them in fire power. This may have been the best possible team for Liverpool to face in the group stages. Their 7-0 away win, then subsequent 3-0 home win, showed that Liverpool have that quality. It's up to them to prove it against lesser opponents. Perhaps they didn't do it away to Spartak. They certainly did in that home match. It's not about arrogance or pointing to what the other team may do and saying, "That's not impressive." It's about pointing at yourself internally and saying, "I am capable of performances to the highest caliber of European football." When you have a manager like Klopp, that's not too hard to eventually believe.
Win or Go Home II:
Onwards to the knockout stages. First, the soon-to-be champions of Portugal, Porto. This tie was the perfect blend of the three lessons learned. The Reds focused all their energy into performing in this away leg. Sadio Mane got himself a hat trick in what was being described as a rough patch of form. Mo Salah, by now well on his way to a historic season in red, scored a dazzling goal. Bobby Firmino, maybe the most underrated striker by anyone other than his own fans, added one of his own. It was 5-0 to Liverpool when the final whistle sounded. Porto were there for a reason in the knockout stages. So, too, were Liverpool. It was up to them to prove it, and they did. In the home leg, they attacked when available, but performed as a team unit and shut down Porto, focusing on seeing out the massive advantage they held. In the end, a trip to the quarterfinals was clinched. Liverpool were through once again. Another two legs awaiting. Two that will never be forgotten.
Manchester City all throughout the 2017-18 season were the world-beaters of English football and seemingly unparalleled in quality. They seemingly couldn't be stopped. Until they entered Anfield. A 4-3 defeat, with a generous final score, was handed to them. The final result would not stop them on their English conquest. But now it was Liverpool being tasked to dash their European dreams. This was their moment to prove that the win was not just a fluke; a happenstance of an amped-up Anfield.
Well, Anfield was amped up yet again. For the second time in as many games this season, Manchester City were shell-shocked by the atmosphere. Three goals in just over 30 minutes (sound familiar?) led to roars from the crowd. This game saw the Legend of the Ox truly take form. For the second time, Liverpool's dream man came through with a wonder-strike against City. What a player. Chamberlain, the man who spurned Chelsea and Conte, who left Arsenal and Wenger with a contract on the table, who joined Liverpool and Klopp to play regularly in center-midfield and chase Europe's finest hardware, was living up to that goal.
The second leg was another tale. Gabriel Jesus scored almost immediately. Liverpool spent the entire first half defending. They were lucky that City's second from Leroy Sane was called offside. At halftime, there was a shift. Pep Guardiola was frustrated. His team, he thought, had twice cracked the Liverpool code. It should've been 3-2. This would be nothing for the glamorous City. Instead, it was still 3-1. Liverpool had weathered through the worst of the storm. Guardiola was sent off to watch the second half from the stands. There was now just a golden sky for the Reds. Salah got the key away goal. Firmino's unreal near-post finish iced off the tie. Just like that, Liverpool had beaten the universally accepted 'best team in England' not once, not twice, but thrice in the same season, twice in dominant fashion. Liverpool was their bogey team. And, as a result, the semi-finals now appeared in their headlights.
Salah's ex-team, Roma, now awaits. Fresh off their comeback victory over Barcelona. It seemed destined for this semi-final to take place. The Egyptian King's former stomping ground. The vanquishers of Coutinho's Barcelona. The two teams would square off. Anfield magic was there again. Five goals from Liverpool, including two from Salah, would propel Liverpool to a well-deserved 5-2 victory. But spirits were not at the high one may expect. Oxlade-Chamberlain seriously injured his knee ligaments. Roma snagged two away goals in the final ten minutes to cut the deficit from 5-0 to 5-2. It was almost the exact same situation as last round. Liverpool were now Barcelona. Perhaps this would be the end of one fairy tale, and the rise of Roma's?
Sadio Mane halted these talks in Rome in the 9th minute with a counter attacking goal of absolute beauty. This was shortly followed by perhaps the most comical own goal in Liverpool history, which consisted of Dejan Lovren absolutely blasting James Milner in the face with an attempted clearance. We were back to where we started. Then Gini Wijnaldum, the most unlikely of heroes, the man who had not scored away as a Liverpool player or in his Premier League career, period, gave Liverpool a second away goal. This game was not without drama. Three second half Roman goals made for a nervy finish, but the final one came close to being the final kick of the game. Liverpool had nothing to worry about. Roma were defeated. Real Madrid ultimately took out Bayern Munich. Two teams remain with games to play in Europe. Two teams remain standing.
The Finish Line:
And so, we arrive in Kyiv. 90 minutes remain in a season of trials and tribulations. The hope is that the 90 minutes will prove fruitful. Liverpool fans thirst for success on this level. The name-brand of Liverpool is that of a big club. With a squad as it currently stands and the moves being made, it is clear that their place in that discussion is not unreasonable. To firmly plant it, however, in the biggest games must come the brightest performances. With those must come your brightest stars. Liverpool have a front three most in Europe barring a select few (including, perhaps, the team they will square off with on Saturday) would absolutely die for. The three of them will never be lost in history, just as this team will not fade away. Their tales will be told from generation-to-generation of Kopite.
The stories of Mane, Salah, and Firmino are lovely. Every single Liverpool fan practically (or in some cases, quite literally) bow to them. This run has not just been their moment to share their stories. It's also been about the stories like the birth of the Scouser achieving his dream. The love a South Coaster who always wanted to be Steven Gerrard has shown his dream club, and the love the supporters have shown back. The veteran utility man parodied for being "boring" becoming the leading assist-man in the entirety of Europe's biggest competition. The Scottish left-back who went from non-league Scottish football to having one of the biggest hearts in the sport, pumping towards getting Liverpool what they desperately desire. But perhaps most crucially, it's about the captain of the club who was written off to Fulham years ago for Clint Dempsey. Who played at right-wing the last time this team was in the final. Who now holds down defensive-mid for one of the last two teams standing.
Liverpool fans are quite lucky to have a team like this. A team of equal parts quality and equal parts heart, and lacking in neither. Over a decade has come and gone for a team like this. One of the worst spells in Liverpool history has passed. Heartbreak has had no shortage for the club's supporters. Even now, it is no guarantee that the multi-year trophy drought will end. Real Madrid are a stellar side. Two-time champions. And, indeed, they are the favorites to make it a three-peat. There will be no quit in this Liverpool side. You can judge their quality to not be of Madrid's caliber, but they have made it here for a reason. Madrid ran a gauntlet to get here. This is the final obstacle for them. Madrid look to be a mountain for Liverpool to some. No matter what happens on the 27th of May, it has been a run for the ages. This has been a team that has inspired songs, love, and in one specific case, an entire country to crown a new national hero. Liverpool made us as fans dream. It is not yet time to wake up.
"We had dreams and songs to sing
Of the glory round the Fields of Anfield Road."
Follow me on Twitter @RMAB Tweets for plenty of discussion. Talk to me about whatever you'd like!
Quotes from Nagelsmann come from: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4813698/Hoffenheim-boss-Julian-Nagelsmann-not-awe-Liverpool.htmlAND
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/julian-nagelsmann-admits-anfield-headless-13520963
The Beginning:
The playoff draw was not the most favorable to the Reds, according to some. Hoffenheim was managed by boy genius, Julian Nagelsmann. They had just lost Nikolas Sule and Sebastian Rudy to Bayern Munich, sure, but Sandro Wagner and Kevin Vogt still heavily featured as did Munich loanee and Olympic hero Serge Gnabry. This was a season of optimism, but the method of drawing at Watford (3-3 off what could have been a goal ruled out for offside) combined with the Phil Coutinho saga put a damper on the mood early. Sure they were still full of talent, but a soul-sucking draw seemed a bit tough to bounce back from. In just just 12th minute of the first leg, Hoffenheim drew a penalty. Certainly there were fans that were cursing their luck. Andrej Kramaric stepped up to take. The former Leicester City man shot it straight down the middle. No trouble. No trouble at all. Simon Mignolet punched it clear. Crisis averted.
In the 35th, a free kick was given. Coutinho range. Not anymore. With no Coutinho to take, a legend was born. 19-year-old Trent Alexander-Arnold sent a brilliant shot past Oliver Baumann in net. 1-0. The Scouser had done it in his first Champions League match. An own goal off a James Milner cross made it two. This night, not even Mark Uth's late goal could take the spirit off the Liverpool supporters. It was a 2-1 away win. Off we go. The first step was taken.
Hoffenheim were in striking range still, however. Then there were warning bells. Nagelsmann talked of how his players would not be affected by Anfield. He should have asked Marcelino, of Villarreal fame, how speaking about Anfield usually goes. Almost as soon as he said it, it seemed that Hoffenheim, as good as they were, had hit the point of no return. Very few speak ill of Anfield. Fewer walk out of the stadium to continue to do so. Emre Can in the 10th. Mo Salah in the 18th. Can again in the 21st. 3-0 in barely 20 minutes.
From: "I'm not in awe of this club. We know it's a big name with a lot of history. But I'm looking forward to it. 'We've shown in the first leg that we coped well with them. We can deal with fast attackers."
To: "We were running around like headless chickens. The team showed a bit too emotion and we left too many gaps."
Anfield had bettered Hoffenheim. Liverpool's rampant attack had battered Hoffenheim. Hoffenheim eventually pulled one back. Liverpool got another. Wagner got his only goal of the tie. It was a 6-3 aggregate victory. The first of many multi-goal score-lines in Europe for Klopp's men. This was the first test for Liverpool. Could they handle the pressure of two-leg European Champions League 'win or go home' football? They absolutely could. And so they were off to the group stages.
Reds on Fire:
Spartak Moscow. Sevilla. NK Maribor. Each opponent presented something different for Liverpool to take from them on their journey, as if they were a minor boss in a video game on their quest for the final "big bad" boss.
From Spartak Moscow: Never overlook an away leg. It was clear to fans that Liverpool had the quality edge on Spartak. Leading towards their first meeting the Russian side were scuffling along upon their first meeting in the Russian Premier League. Instead, even with Coutinho, Liverpool could only muster up one goal to equalize at one with a little over a half hour gone by. It's one thing to have a stronger side than a team. It's another thing to actually go out and prove it twice. Liverpool learned that here.
From Sevilla: Never forsake a lead. Up 1-0. Up 2-1 at the half. Up 3-0 at the half away. Liverpool spent much of both games against Sevilla in the lead. Instead of six points, they were only able to get two from their two meetings. The lesson learned was not 'play defensively once you get the lead.' That's not the Liverpool method of operation. The key here was to not devalue the lead. To stay focused. Alberto Moreno had a pair of mental lapses leading to a goal and a converted penalty kick against his former team. A 3-0 lead was drained away at one of Spain's toughest away stadiums. Liverpool learned. No matter the lead, the job must be done.
From Maribor: Show your quality. Again, with all due respect to Maribor, Liverpool overmatched them in fire power. This may have been the best possible team for Liverpool to face in the group stages. Their 7-0 away win, then subsequent 3-0 home win, showed that Liverpool have that quality. It's up to them to prove it against lesser opponents. Perhaps they didn't do it away to Spartak. They certainly did in that home match. It's not about arrogance or pointing to what the other team may do and saying, "That's not impressive." It's about pointing at yourself internally and saying, "I am capable of performances to the highest caliber of European football." When you have a manager like Klopp, that's not too hard to eventually believe.
Win or Go Home II:
Onwards to the knockout stages. First, the soon-to-be champions of Portugal, Porto. This tie was the perfect blend of the three lessons learned. The Reds focused all their energy into performing in this away leg. Sadio Mane got himself a hat trick in what was being described as a rough patch of form. Mo Salah, by now well on his way to a historic season in red, scored a dazzling goal. Bobby Firmino, maybe the most underrated striker by anyone other than his own fans, added one of his own. It was 5-0 to Liverpool when the final whistle sounded. Porto were there for a reason in the knockout stages. So, too, were Liverpool. It was up to them to prove it, and they did. In the home leg, they attacked when available, but performed as a team unit and shut down Porto, focusing on seeing out the massive advantage they held. In the end, a trip to the quarterfinals was clinched. Liverpool were through once again. Another two legs awaiting. Two that will never be forgotten.
Manchester City all throughout the 2017-18 season were the world-beaters of English football and seemingly unparalleled in quality. They seemingly couldn't be stopped. Until they entered Anfield. A 4-3 defeat, with a generous final score, was handed to them. The final result would not stop them on their English conquest. But now it was Liverpool being tasked to dash their European dreams. This was their moment to prove that the win was not just a fluke; a happenstance of an amped-up Anfield.
Well, Anfield was amped up yet again. For the second time in as many games this season, Manchester City were shell-shocked by the atmosphere. Three goals in just over 30 minutes (sound familiar?) led to roars from the crowd. This game saw the Legend of the Ox truly take form. For the second time, Liverpool's dream man came through with a wonder-strike against City. What a player. Chamberlain, the man who spurned Chelsea and Conte, who left Arsenal and Wenger with a contract on the table, who joined Liverpool and Klopp to play regularly in center-midfield and chase Europe's finest hardware, was living up to that goal.
The second leg was another tale. Gabriel Jesus scored almost immediately. Liverpool spent the entire first half defending. They were lucky that City's second from Leroy Sane was called offside. At halftime, there was a shift. Pep Guardiola was frustrated. His team, he thought, had twice cracked the Liverpool code. It should've been 3-2. This would be nothing for the glamorous City. Instead, it was still 3-1. Liverpool had weathered through the worst of the storm. Guardiola was sent off to watch the second half from the stands. There was now just a golden sky for the Reds. Salah got the key away goal. Firmino's unreal near-post finish iced off the tie. Just like that, Liverpool had beaten the universally accepted 'best team in England' not once, not twice, but thrice in the same season, twice in dominant fashion. Liverpool was their bogey team. And, as a result, the semi-finals now appeared in their headlights.
Salah's ex-team, Roma, now awaits. Fresh off their comeback victory over Barcelona. It seemed destined for this semi-final to take place. The Egyptian King's former stomping ground. The vanquishers of Coutinho's Barcelona. The two teams would square off. Anfield magic was there again. Five goals from Liverpool, including two from Salah, would propel Liverpool to a well-deserved 5-2 victory. But spirits were not at the high one may expect. Oxlade-Chamberlain seriously injured his knee ligaments. Roma snagged two away goals in the final ten minutes to cut the deficit from 5-0 to 5-2. It was almost the exact same situation as last round. Liverpool were now Barcelona. Perhaps this would be the end of one fairy tale, and the rise of Roma's?
Sadio Mane halted these talks in Rome in the 9th minute with a counter attacking goal of absolute beauty. This was shortly followed by perhaps the most comical own goal in Liverpool history, which consisted of Dejan Lovren absolutely blasting James Milner in the face with an attempted clearance. We were back to where we started. Then Gini Wijnaldum, the most unlikely of heroes, the man who had not scored away as a Liverpool player or in his Premier League career, period, gave Liverpool a second away goal. This game was not without drama. Three second half Roman goals made for a nervy finish, but the final one came close to being the final kick of the game. Liverpool had nothing to worry about. Roma were defeated. Real Madrid ultimately took out Bayern Munich. Two teams remain with games to play in Europe. Two teams remain standing.
The Finish Line:
And so, we arrive in Kyiv. 90 minutes remain in a season of trials and tribulations. The hope is that the 90 minutes will prove fruitful. Liverpool fans thirst for success on this level. The name-brand of Liverpool is that of a big club. With a squad as it currently stands and the moves being made, it is clear that their place in that discussion is not unreasonable. To firmly plant it, however, in the biggest games must come the brightest performances. With those must come your brightest stars. Liverpool have a front three most in Europe barring a select few (including, perhaps, the team they will square off with on Saturday) would absolutely die for. The three of them will never be lost in history, just as this team will not fade away. Their tales will be told from generation-to-generation of Kopite.
The stories of Mane, Salah, and Firmino are lovely. Every single Liverpool fan practically (or in some cases, quite literally) bow to them. This run has not just been their moment to share their stories. It's also been about the stories like the birth of the Scouser achieving his dream. The love a South Coaster who always wanted to be Steven Gerrard has shown his dream club, and the love the supporters have shown back. The veteran utility man parodied for being "boring" becoming the leading assist-man in the entirety of Europe's biggest competition. The Scottish left-back who went from non-league Scottish football to having one of the biggest hearts in the sport, pumping towards getting Liverpool what they desperately desire. But perhaps most crucially, it's about the captain of the club who was written off to Fulham years ago for Clint Dempsey. Who played at right-wing the last time this team was in the final. Who now holds down defensive-mid for one of the last two teams standing.
Liverpool fans are quite lucky to have a team like this. A team of equal parts quality and equal parts heart, and lacking in neither. Over a decade has come and gone for a team like this. One of the worst spells in Liverpool history has passed. Heartbreak has had no shortage for the club's supporters. Even now, it is no guarantee that the multi-year trophy drought will end. Real Madrid are a stellar side. Two-time champions. And, indeed, they are the favorites to make it a three-peat. There will be no quit in this Liverpool side. You can judge their quality to not be of Madrid's caliber, but they have made it here for a reason. Madrid ran a gauntlet to get here. This is the final obstacle for them. Madrid look to be a mountain for Liverpool to some. No matter what happens on the 27th of May, it has been a run for the ages. This has been a team that has inspired songs, love, and in one specific case, an entire country to crown a new national hero. Liverpool made us as fans dream. It is not yet time to wake up.
"We had dreams and songs to sing
Of the glory round the Fields of Anfield Road."
Follow me on Twitter @RMAB Tweets for plenty of discussion. Talk to me about whatever you'd like!
Quotes from Nagelsmann come from: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4813698/Hoffenheim-boss-Julian-Nagelsmann-not-awe-Liverpool.htmlAND
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/julian-nagelsmann-admits-anfield-headless-13520963
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