We all remember that special night at Anfield like it was yesterday.
“Corner taken quickly…ORIGI” – a line that will remain in the hearts of the Reds and will haunt Cules forever.
Divock Origi celebrates with his teammates after scoring to make it 4-0.
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Barcelona had just beaten Liverpool 3-0 at the Camp Nou after a sublime Lionel Messi free-kick capped a deflated away performance. Heading into the second leg, there was little to no hope for the Reds.
With Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino out, it made an already difficult task impossible. Divock Origi and Xherdan Shaqiri stepped in to complete the trio with Sadio Mane.
The first half was fairly balanced. Despite the home side leading at the break thanks to a goal from Origi, Barca had their chances.
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Former Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho forced Alisson Becker into a decent save down the left before Jordi Alba was denied after falling behind after beating the offside trap.
The second half, however, was a different ballgame. Barca couldn’t cope with Anfield’s roar and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross found substitute Gini Wijnaldum, who stabbed the ball under Marc-Andre Ter Stegen.
It was only the second goal – the Reds still needed two more to progress.
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Gini Wijnaldum celebrates after scoring against FC Barcelona.
(Photo by Xinhua/Sipa USA)
Just over two minutes later, Shaqiri’s precise cross found Wijnaldum, who headed home to equalise. Looking back, from now on, there would only be one outcome.
Liverpool held their heads high and inevitably traveled to Madrid, where they would later beat Spurs 2-0 to bring the number six home.
Then one of the most iconic moments, at least in modern football, happened. Alexander-Arnold’s quick moment of brilliance saw Origi receive the ball just outside the penalty area to pass Ter Stegen.
The Barcelona defenders were taking a siesta and were nowhere in sight. Liverpool now led the draw 4-3 and they held on to secure their place in the June 2 final.
Post-match scenes after the end of the Champions League semi-final.
Photo by Xinhua/Sipa USA)
Three years on the two teams went in wildly different directions. Barcelona sit third in La Liga after crashing out of the Europa League to Frankfurt in the quarter-finals.
Liverpool, however, are through to another Champions League final where they meet league rivals Manchester City, having already won EFL Cup silverware so far this season.
Was it the night that killed FC Barcelona? Admittedly, it must be said that they were never on the same side again.
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