Liverpool
Flickr photo by Tomás Quifes Correa shared under a Creative Commons (BY-NC 2.0) license.

Liverpool and the unexpected road to Kiev

Shaheer Hassan·
Liverpool
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Liverpool have had an exceptional European campaign under Jurgen Klopp…

As the most highly-anticipated match of the season draws closer, many will be surprised to hear that Real Madrid are hoping to become the first team to avoid conceding five goals against Liverpool in the Champions League this season. Throughout their Champions League campaign, The Reds have managed to score at least five goals on aggregate against each team they’ve been been pitted against – which highlights the fearsome attacking potential of Klopp’s side. In doing so, they’ve scored a record-breaking 46 goals in the competition.

It all started on 23rd August 2017, when Liverpool visited Hoffenheim to play the first leg of the Champions League play-off. Finishing 4th on the last day of the 2016-17 season meant that a win was absolutely necessary,  and the players were up to the challenge as they won both legs of the play-off. A 2-1 away win and 4-2 triumph at home confirmed their Champions League berth. Few would’ve imagined that this inexperienced team would run riot in Europe and play some devastating football in the months to come.

Liverpool remained undefeated in the group stage as they came up against Sevilla, Spartak Moscow, and NK Maribor. Klopp’s men won three and drew three of their matches as they finished on top of the group, scoring 23 times and conceding only six goals. On two separate occasions, they scored seven goals against their opposition, stamping their authority on Spartak Moscow at home and NK Maribor away.

FC Porto were next in line to get a hammering from this free-scoring Liverpool side, with The Reds winning the first leg by a comprehensive 5-0 scoreline at the Estádio do Dragão. When travelling to Anfield, Porto opted for a more defensive and reserved strategy, settling happily for a goalless draw. As a result, Liverpool sailed through on aggregate and cemented their place in the quarter-finals.

As it turned out, Manchester City were drawn against Liverpool, with the first leg to be played at Anfield and the second leg at the Etihad Stadium. Pep Guardiola’s men were considered favourites before making the journey to Merseyside, but the unwavering home support played a huge part in unsettling their opponents. Liverpool made sure to capitalise on the opportunity and did not let their fans down as they won the first leg with a convincing 3-0 advantage. On 10th April, it was City’s turn to host Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium, and many pundits were predicting that Guardiola’s side would overwhelm their opposition as they were out for vengeance – but that’s not how things panned out.

Despite a number of questionable refereeing decisions on the night, which included a Manchester City goal in just the second minute of the match. Gabriel Jesus slotted home from Raheem Sterling’s pass, but Virgil Van Dijk had arguably been fouled in the build-up. For the rest the first half, there were waves upon waves of City attacks, with İlkay Gündoğan hitting the post and a Leroy Sane goal wrongly disallowed for offside. However, Liverpool somehow managed to hold on and finished the half just 1-0 down.

In the second half, City couldn’t replicate the same intensity and began to look jaded as – with Klopp’s men waiting to take full advantage. Salah scored from a counter-attack, making it 4-1 on aggregate, and Firmino later put the icing on the cake with a calm finish after a mistake from Kyle Walker. After a fierce battle against one of the top sides in Europe, Liverpool emerged victorious and progressed to the semi-finals of the tournament.

AS Roma made a historic comeback against Barcelona and also progressed to the semis, where they were drawn against Liverpool. Anfield was to host the first leg and as expected, the stadium was bouncing for the match against the Giallorossi. For the first 30 minutes, Roma were very compact and it took a spectacular goal from Mohamed Salah to open the floodgates as Liverpool began scoring for fun. Salah and Firmino scored two goals apiece and Mane contributed another, but Roma conjured up a late fight-back to narrow the deficit with two goals by Eden Dzeko and Diego Perotti respectively. The match ended 5-2, and Liverpool already had one foot in the semi-final.

Despite the three goal cushion, there was doubt creeping in as Roma had made a very similar comeback against Barcelona just a few weeks ago. Mane and Wijnaldum scored early goals in the return leg to calm the nerves of Liverpool faithful, but there were plenty of twists to come. Roma pulled one back through Eden Dzeko in the 52nd minute to rejuvenate their spirit, and Radja Nainggolan scored another from distance shortly after. The Belgian added his second of the night from the penalty spot in the dying minutes of the game, but it was far too late for Roma as the match ended 7-6 on aggregate with Liverpool qualifying for the final – where Real Madrid is waiting for them.

Liverpool are a side full of confidence and are clearly enjoying their game, largely because Klopp has instilled a sense of self-belief in the team and fans. The bond between supporters and players has never been so strong, and despite the fact that Liverpool boast far less experience than Real Madrid, this team has the passion and desire to fight until the last minute – making them strong favourites to win the final.