To quote the great Derek 'Del Boy' Trotter from British comedy classic Only Fools and Horses: “They done it. They only bloody done it!”
They’ve seen some things in this incredible stadium, but nothing quite like this.
Liverpool are in the Champions League final. Just let that sink in.
Jurgen Klopp prayed for a miracle and his players delivered. This was a night to rank alongside any in this club’s remarkable history.
Barcelona, the Barcelona of Lionel Messi and of Luis Suarez, the La Liga champions and the team which had broken the Reds’ hearts a week ago, had no answer.
Their 3-0 first-leg lead would be enough, we were told. There would be no repeat of Barca’s collapse against Roma last season, we thought. The lack of an away goal at Camp Nou had killed Liverpool, who lost Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah in the meantime.
Salah arrived wearing a T-shirt with the slogan ‘Never Give Up’ on its chest. His team-mates, to a man, produced the performance of their lifetime. Criticise this team? You couldn’t even try to.
Divock Origi was the match-winner, firing into the roof of the Kop End net 11 minutes from time. The Belgian scored twice, sandwiching a brace from Gini Wijnaldum, who emerged from the bench at half-time to score twice in the space of three minutes.
Barcelona had threatened in the first-half, but they were swept under by a wave of emotion which poured down from the stands and engulfed the pitch. This was Anfield at its loudest, its most aggressive, its most inspirational.
Just wow.
At the end, after the final blast of referee Cuneyt Cakir’s whistle, Liverpool’s players and staff lined up on the edge of the six-yard box while the Kop serenaded them. “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” they sang. It was spine-tingling.
This is what Klopp has created. This is what this club has become. They worried they would end this season trophyless, with nothing to show for a phenomenal campaign. Instead, they’re going to Madrid. Tottenham or Ajax await them on June 1. Pinch yourself, it did happen.
All those knocks – Salah’s misfortune, Firmino’s injury, the loss of Andy Robertson here – were taken. They rode their luck at times, with Alisson Becker immense in goal, but who could begrudge them this? This is what happens when a very special team believes in itself, and feeds off a very special atmosphere.
Even Messi, the great Messi, had nothing. He threatened briefly but faded and faded. Suarez, taunted by the fans who once adored him, offered nothing. Philippe Coutinho was substituted. He walked away from this team. More fool him.
And so we move on. To Wolves. There’s still a Premier League title on the line, remember. Liverpool could be English champions by 6pm on Sunday.
Whatever happens this weekend, though, it’ll have to be pretty special to top this.
