On May 7, 2019, we witnessed what is arguably Anfield’s greatest ever night – certainly the Reds’ greatest ever European comeback. While we all remem
On May 7, 2019, we witnessed what is arguably Anfield’s greatest ever night – certainly the Reds’ greatest ever European comeback.
While we all remember the goals, the emotions, the celebrations after full-time – and, of course, that we went on to win No. 6 in Madrid – there’s so much about that night that made it possibly even better than you recall.
Without even mentioning the fact we were 3-0 down from the first leg, a scoreline that was far from a fair reflection of how well Liverpool actually played in the Camp Nou, there’s plenty more that made this scoreline against the odds.
“There’s hope and it’s football,” said Jurgen Klopp in his pre-match press conference.
“If we can do it: wonderful. If we can’t do it, let’s fail in the most beautiful way.”
Liverpool did not fail, and they did it in the most beautiful way.
No Salah or Firmino…but more to it than that
Had we won this with the first-choice front three fit and on form, blitzing the opposition like in European games vs. Roma and Man City the season before, it would still be incredible.
But there was no Mohamed Salah or Roberto Firmino, both injured.
In fact, the day before the game Liverpool had trained with just 14 outfield players, with Virgil van Dijk, Adam Lallana and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all working separately from their group as they carried injury issues.
Naby Keita was also ruled out and there were genuine claims that Rhian Brewster would be handed his first professional appearance in senior football.
Brewster didn’t start, but was among the subs alongside fellow teenager Ben Woodburn.
Klopp instead went with Divock Origi up front, with Sadio Mane on the left and Xherdan Shaqiri on the right…
Shaqiri’s first start in FOUR months
That Shaqiri played 90 minutes was a miracle in itself (he was subbed at 90 minutes for Daniel Sturridge).
The Swiss hadn’t started a match in four months before this. And only made six sub appearances during that time.
Just as rare was Shaqiri lining up in a 4-3-3 formation, with Klopp having until then only used him when adopting a 4-2-3-1 lineup.
The decision paid off, with Shaq assisting Wijnaldum’s second with an inch-perfect cross from the left.
Henderson’s injury
After half an hour, Jordan Henderson took a hefty blow to the knee and looked set to be subbed off.
Gini Wijnaldum was stripped and ready to come on, but Henderson went back on.
At half-time, Liverpool’s captain wasn’t in the changing room with his team-mates. Instead, he was in a warm-up room across the hallway on an indoor bicycle in order to keep his knee from seizing up.
“The doctor said just keep it moving,” explained Henderson post-match. “I managed to get to half-time and I had a bit of treatment, took painkillers, all that stuff. There was a jab and tablets. Both. Everything.
“I said, ‘just give us everything’.”
Then Henderson went out and gave everything on the pitch.
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