Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona (agg 4-3): Reds pull off a miracle to book their place in Champions League final

Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona (agg 4-3): Reds pull off a miracle to book their place in Champions League final
Liverpool have reached the Champions League final after one of the greatest comebacks in the competition’s history against Barcelona.Three goals down and seemingly without a prayer after the first leg, Divock Origi and Georginio Wijnaldum both struck twice to seal an unbelievable 4-0 victory on a special night at Anfield.4

Origi struck the winner

And despite being without their talisman Mohamed Salah and star striker Roberto Firmino, the Reds will head to Madrid for their second European final in as many years as history repeats itself for Lionel Messi and co.In a truly remarkable – and intense – game not only did Liverpool erase that disadvantage inside 56 minutes, they went on to score a winner and, remarkably, kept Lionel Messi quiet.For only the fourth time in the competition’s history a team was eliminated from a knockout tie having won the first leg by three or more goals, the last occasion being Barca against Roma in last season’s quarter-final.Origi’s timing in scoring his first Champions League goals was impeccable, as was Wijnaldum’s introduction for injured defender Andy Robertson. Liverpool needed an early goal to increase the already vibrant atmosphere and when Robertson’s cross was deflected behind with Xherdan Shaqiri, making his first start since January, after just 53 seconds it was the ideal opening.It became almost perfect when Origi scored in only the seventh minute, tapping home a rebound from Jordan Henderson’s shot after Sadio Mane had seized on Jori Alba’s mis-hit headed backpass.When Mane went down under a challenge from Sergi Roberto, the Barcelona defender making some kind of contact, penalty appeals were waved away by referee Cuneyt Cunir.4

Liverpool celebrate with the crowd at full time

Such was Liverpool’s fiery start Barcelona had just 38 per cent possession in the opening 10 minutes, although that did not mean they could not threaten with Lionel Messi forcing Alisson Becker to tip over and driving a half-volley wide either side of Joel Matip blocking a certain goal by the Argentinian, although he did not know the offside flag would go up seconds later.The hosts, nevertheless, were dominating in what was turning into a brilliant game in a superb atmosphere and one can only imagine what a spectacle it would have been had key players Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah not been out injured.Gerard Pique cleared from Henderson, Robertson denied by Marc-Andre Ter Stegen and Claude Lenglet pushing Mane to the ground without punishment as he threatened to run past him.4

Liverpool will be celebrating all night long

Alisson was still required to produce a hugely-important save to deny Jordi Alba in first-half added time but the real turning point came at half-time with Robertson, who took a kick from Luis Suarez – accidental or not – unable to continue.Wijnaldum was sent on for the second half and James Milner dropped to left-back. It was a pivotal, if somewhat fortunate, change.Within 11 minutes the Holland midfielder had scored twice; first charging into the area to drive a low Trent Alexander-Arnold pass under Ter Stegen and then rising highest at the near post to head home Milner’s cross.

LIVE ON talkSPORT

talkSPORT is your home of live football! Here's what's coming up on talkSPORT and talkSPORT 2...

• Ajax vs Tottenham (Wednesday, 8pm) – talkSPORT
• Valencia vs Arsenal (Thursday, 8pm) – talkSPORT
• Newport vs Mansfield (Thursday, 7:45pm) – talkSPORT 2
• Tranmere vs Forest Green Rovers (Friday, 7:45pm) – talkSPORT 2
• Aston Villa vs West Brom (Saturday, 12:30pm) – talkSPORT 2
• Derby vs Leeds United (Saturday, 5:15pm) – talkSPORT 2
• Sunderland vs Portsmouth (Saturday, 7:30pm) – talkSPORT 2
• Doncaster vs Charlton (Sunday, 12:15pm) – talkSPORT 2
• Mansfield vs Newport (Sunday, 6pm) –talkSPORT 2

As per last week Ernesto Valverde swapped another former Red Philippe Coutinho for a defender in Nelson Semedo and switched to 4-4-2 but it appeared to have little effect.The pace of the game was taking its toll not only on Barcelona legs but also minds and when Alexander-Arnold spotted Origi unmarked in the six-yard box his quick thinking picked out the Belgium international to sweep home with 11 minutes to go.Now Liverpool had the upper hand and Klopp immediately replaced the injured Origi with Joe Gomez to try to protect that advantage.4

Messi had a surprisingly quiet night

There were a few fraught moments but marshalled by the ultra-cool Virgil Van Dijk they saw off any threat to spark wild scenes at the end with the whole squad and backrooom staff celebrating on the pitch in front of the Kop.A communal singing of club anthem You’ll Never Walk Alone capped the perfect evening as Liverpool now have a chance of redemption in Madrid next month.

---

West Ham United are reportedly eyeing a shock move for ex-Liverpool and Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli in January. It's not long since the summer transfer window closed and the Hammers were extremely busy in that one as manager Manuel Pellegrini bolstered his squad with no less than 10 players.
Balotelli linked with shock West Ham switch - Read West Ham

---

Sean Cox, a Meath man and Liverpool FC fan who sustained a serious brain injury in an attack at Anfield, has spoken to the public for the first time since the assault. Mr Cox, 54, raised his thumb
~ Sean Cox: Brother of Liverpool fan who suffered serious

---

View the latest Premier League tables, form guides and season archives, on the official website of the Premier League.

---

Championship 2018/19 table: Super Computer predicts where every club will end the season - *April update* by: 161385360554578 — Talk Sport 3 Apr Norwich look all set for automatic promotion to the Premier League, with Daniel Farke's men seven points clear of third place Sheffield United after their 1-0 win at Middlesbrough at the week…

---

West Ham could be without Jack Wilshere for five weeks or possibly for the rest of the season amid claims he may require further surgery on his troublesome ankle. The 26-year-old midfielder has played just five minutes of football since September, in a comeback game against Newcastle earlier this month which saw him immediately sidelined again.
Jack Wilshere injury news: When the West Ham midfielder could

---

Liverpool news: Barcelona dealt major injury blow before Champions League semi final however they have a treble to aim for. had to play a full strength team against Newcastle.
Barcelona vs Levante result: Lionel Messi helps Barca wrap up

---

Chelsea appeal Fifa transfer ban ruling but will NOT be able to sign players this summer any signings for the next two windows. Chelsea were handed the ban in February after by Chelsea for

---

Champions League draw: Man Utd draw Barcelona as Spurs face Man City in quarters while Liverpool land Porto tie TOTTENHAM take on Manchester City and Man United face Barcelona in re-run of the
Manchester United vs. Barcelona highlights Champions League

---

Liverpool pair Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane will share the Premier League's Golden Boot award alongside Arsenal forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang this season. Salah entered the weekend as the leading scorer with 22 goals, two ahead of his closest competitors, but the race for the Golden Boot took plenty of twists on the final day.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: Arsenal striker admits to Golden

---

Wolves v Liverpool team news: Jurgen Klopp to make changes for FA Cup third round tie at Molineux to give Reds kids a chance while youth prospects Curtis Jones and Rafael Camacho should be in
Liverpool fans are delighted to see Curtis Jones make his
hollywoodadviser.com/liverpool-fans-are-delighted-to-see-curtis-jones-make-his-reds-debut-in-fa-cup-tie-v-wolves/
'NEXT BIG THING' Jurgen Klopp has made nine changes from the team which lost to Manchester City which also sees academy player Rafa Camacho make his senior Reds debut Jurgen Klopp's decision to make nine changes for Liverpool's potentially very difficult FA Cup tie at Wolves a strange one but youngster Curtis Jones won't care about that.
Curtis Jones on living his Liverpool dream, his one aim this

---

Premier League form table: How the top flight standings look based on last six games only Newcastle beat Burnley on Monday night to make it three wins from three By Billy Hawkins
Premier League Table, Form Guide & Season Archives

---

Manchester United fans are desperate to see Diogo Dalot replace 'finished' Ashley Young after Barcelona display The veteran is naturally a winger and his defensive nous was called into
Manchester United fans are desperate to see Diogo Dalot

---

The father of former England footballer Adam Johnson said it was good to have his son home after his release from prison on March 22, 2019. Manchester City and Sunderland star was jailed for
[토크스포츠] 아담 존슨 "내가 저지른 일에 대해 후회하고 있다." - 축구 소식통 - 에펨코리아

---