Everything was against Liverpool FC, a deficit of 3 goals from the 1º leg game plus injuries to star players SALAH & FIRMINO. Coach Klopp put forward the above starting 11 with huge pressure on lesser names like ORIGI & SHAQIRI.
FC BARCELONA put forward their starting 11 which was basically the same team as in the 1º st leg match. They felt confident, but as we were to witness the ghost of the past & of AC ROMA returned to hover over them again tonight.
LIVERPOOL FC had a clear plan, take the initiative, pressure up front, force mistakes & pull from emotion. This latter part was supplied by the home crowd which was their 12th man tonight with non-stop chanting & support. The dream become a possible reality when a Jordi Alba mistake lead to the Liverpool FC opener through ORIGI in the 7th min.
Liverpool FC looked for more goals but their overzealous adventures upfront nearly cost them goals. But there was - for me - the MAN OF THE MATCH, Liverpool goalkeeper ALISSON who made 4 crucial & match turning saves tonight, three of them in the 1st half.
The first 45 min ended with Barça controlling the best they could the English "fire" & it seemed they would continue to do so in the 2ºnd half. However, all to the contrary, LIVERPOOL overran Barça with two quick goals - again Barça defensive mistakes - through substitute GEORGINIO WIJNALDUM in the 54th & 56nd min. Liverpool suddenly had their dream in their hands as FC Barcelona were rattled & seeing the nightmare of AC ROMA returning to haunt them again.
Barça Coach Valverde reacted making changes by putting on Semedo for Coutinho, moving Sergi Roberto into midfield & taking off Barça´s best until then ARTURO VIDAL for Arthur.
Then the miracle appeared from a corner that could all the Barça defense wrong footed finding ORIGI alone to hammer home his 2nd & the 4th for Liverpool FC in the 79th min. The English Club was now winning the semifinales tie & had a foot in the upcoming final.
Liverpool FC then held their winning advantage with tooth, nails & blood holding off Barça in their desperate attacks until the referee finally blew the whistle to give Liverpool the victory. Absolutely historical achievement for Liverpool FC, a night they will never forget.
As for Barcelona a disaster. There worst match possible with the big names disappearing at the crucial moments. Too many defensive errores, especially Alba, & perhaps a bit too much overconfidence coming into this match. With their elimination Spanish Football loses their only representative which is a big negative after so many years of European domination.
FINAL RESULT: LIVERPOOL FC 4 - FC BARCELONA 0 | LIVERPOOL WINS SEMIFINAL ON A 4-3 AGGREGRATE RESULT
Congratulations to Liverpool FC, good luck in the upcoming Champions League Final.
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