Stranger things have certainly happened in the Champions League. The past several editions of this competition have appeared to throw more and more bizarre results our way in the latter stages; Real Madrid registered three of their own on the way to claiming a 14th title last season. But as they prepare to face the runners-up of that final this evening with a 5-2 first-leg lead, it is worth taking a look at some of the best Liverpool comebacks in Europe.
“If there is only a one per cent chance, I would like to give it a try,” Jurgen Klopp said in his pre-match conference.
Liverpool fans are all too familiar with era-defining comebacks, with some of the greatest revivals in this competition coming courtesy of the Reds.
They will have to attempt to overcome a Real Madrid side whom they fell to defeat in the final last summer, but also who dismantled them just over three weeks ago in one of the heaviest European defeats at Anfield.
Real Madrid’s 4-1 defeat to Ajax in 2019 remains their most substantial margin of defeat in a home knockout game in this competition, and a similar scoreline for Liverpool tonight would only be enough to send the tie to extra-time.
Perhaps Jurgen Klopp will attempt to rally his players for another famous Champions League night as he has done so effectively in the past, and ahead of tonight’s kick-off we are taking a look at some of the best Liverpool comebacks in Europe.
Liverpool vs Borussia Dortmund – Europa League (2016)
This staggering Europa League quarter-final second-leg is a far cry from the lofty heights of Champions League glory that Klopp would go on to achieve, but nevertheless it remains fresh in the memory for the Reds faithful.
A powerful shared rendition of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” between a chorus of Liverpool and Dortmund fans serenaded the players as they stepped out, but a whole half passed and a nightmare scenario grew at half-time as the home side needed three goals to keep alive their European ambitions.
You'll Never Walk Alone
Liverpool Vs Borussia Dortmund ♥️💛 2016 #LFC #BorussiaDortmund pic.twitter.com/iv1J3F3zmg— Peter Williams (@p_williams_0151) April 2, 2021
Step forward Mamadou Sakho to give Liverpool a significant lift, before Dejan Lovren scored a memorable win in extra time to hand them a 5-4 aggregate comeback win, and end Dortmund’s 18-game unbeaten run.
Liverpool vs Olympiakos – Champions League (2004)
“Ohhhhh you beauty! What a hit son. What. A. Hit.”
These infamous words broadcast to the world by Andy Gray resonate with every football fan, and instantly connects us with a spine-tingling moment from Liverpool’s Champions-League winning campaign in 2004/05.
Needing a win in their final group game, Rivaldo’s early strike sent a hush around Anfield as nail-biting moments came and went.
Step forward the ever-reliable right-foot of Gerrard from outside the box, who arrived at the perfect moment to send a rasping, rising effort past the keeper to book their ticket to their knockout stage.
𝐈𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐈𝐂 🤩#OnThisDay in 2004, Steven Gerrard scored 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 incredible strike against Olympiacos ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/vQIqCHZakg
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 8, 2021
Liverpool vs Barcelona – Champions League (2019)
Guided by a masterful performance from Lionel Messi in the first leg, including THAT stupendous free-kick from 35 yards out, Liverpool were subject to their then-second-heaviest European defeat after falling 3-0 in Catalonia.
Another iconic piece of commentary would define this comeback. “Corner taken quickly – Origi!”
Corner taken quickly…👀
𝐔 𝐍 𝐁 𝐄 𝐋 𝐈 𝐄 𝐕 𝐀 𝐁 𝐋 𝐄 😱 pic.twitter.com/RJuxiLn9S6
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 26, 2021
A budding, young, fresh-faced Trent Alexander-Arnold had the presence of mind to fire in an unorthodox corner to catch a complacent Barcelona unaware, and Divock Origi’s goal to make it four completed one of the most staggering Champions League comebacks in front of a fervent Anfield crowd.
Real Madrid Vs Liverpool Live Stream: How To Watch The Champions League For Free
Liverpool vs AC Milan – Champions League Final (2005)
This list certainly wouldn’t be complete without the greatest Champions League comeback of all time.
The Miracle of Istanbul is Liverpool’s defining European chapter, and tonight’s opposition manager Carlo Ancelotti will be all too familiar with the dangers of handing the Reds momentum, as he watched his AC Milan side let a three goal lead slip away in 2005.
A first minute header from Paolo Maldini, followed by a memorable brace from Hernan Crespo gave the Italians a seemingly unassailable 3-0 cushion heading into half time. But as we all know, the rest is history.
That penalty shootout & that final save by Dudek..cue the madness! 😎
Request @BarRed321 pic.twitter.com/FQPQlwFh6v— Davolaa (@Davolaar) December 3, 2022
Steven Gerrard’s header. Vladimír Šmicer’s long-range effort. Xabi Alonso blasting in the rebound to complete the comeback. Extra-time beckoned as weak knees turned to buckling, desperate lunges for the ball, before Jerzy Dudek’s eventual winning save completed the unlikeliest of comebacks.
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