On May 7, 2019, Liverpool faced Barcelona in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final at Anfield. In one of the most extraordinary comebacks in football history, Liverpool overturned a 3-0 deficit from the first leg to win 4-0 on the night, advancing to the final with a 4-3 aggregate victory.
Key Statistics and Analysis
- Scoreline and Goal Timings:
- Liverpool: 4 (Divock Origi 7′, 79′, Georginio Wijnaldum 54′, 56′)
- Barcelona: 0
- Possession:
- Barcelona had 57% possession, while Liverpool had 43%. Despite Barcelona’s control of the ball, Liverpool’s high intensity, pressing, and direct play were crucial in unsettling the visitors and creating scoring opportunities.
- Shots:
- Liverpool registered 13 shots, with 7 on target, reflecting their clinical approach and relentless pressure. Barcelona had 8 shots, with 5 on target, but they were unable to find the back of the net, largely due to a combination of poor finishing and excellent goalkeeping from Alisson.
- Passing Accuracy:
- Barcelona had a passing accuracy of 84%, completing 567 passes out of 675 attempts. Liverpool’s passing accuracy was slightly lower at 75%, completing 334 passes out of 445 attempts. Liverpool’s direct and aggressive approach focused more on creating chances rather than maintaining long spells of possession.
- Defensive Statistics:
- Liverpool made 22 tackles compared to Barcelona’s 14, highlighting their aggressive pressing and determination to win the ball back quickly. Liverpool’s defense, led by Virgil van Dijk, was solid throughout, effectively nullifying the threat posed by Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez.
- Set Pieces:
- Liverpool’s goals came from a combination of set pieces and open play. Divock Origi opened the scoring early after a rebound from Jordan Henderson’s shot was parried by Marc-André ter Stegen. Georginio Wijnaldum, who came on as a substitute at halftime, scored twice in quick succession with a powerful shot from inside the box and a header. The decisive fourth goal came from a quick corner taken by Trent Alexander-Arnold, catching Barcelona’s defense off guard, allowing Origi to score his second of the night.
- Individual Performances:
- Divock Origi was the hero for Liverpool, scoring two crucial goals, including the match-winner. Georginio Wijnaldum, coming off the bench, made an immediate impact with two goals in the space of two minutes, swinging the momentum in Liverpool’s favor. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s quick thinking on the corner that led to Origi’s second goal was also pivotal. For Barcelona, Lionel Messi was involved in several chances, but he was well contained by Liverpool’s defense.
- Tactical Overview:
- Liverpool, under Jürgen Klopp, employed a 4-3-3 formation, focusing on high pressing, quick transitions, and exploiting the wide areas. Barcelona, under Ernesto Valverde, also used a 4-3-3 formation, aiming to control possession and build from the back. However, Liverpool’s intensity and tactical discipline overwhelmed Barcelona, especially in the second half, leading to a complete collapse from the visitors.
- Disciplinary:
- The match saw three yellow cards, all for Liverpool (Andrew Robertson 11′, Fabinho 20′, Sadio Mané 41′). The fouls were tactical, aimed at breaking up Barcelona’s play and preventing them from settling into a rhythm.
- Corners and Offsides:
- Liverpool won 7 corners compared to Barcelona’s 5. The most significant corner was Alexander-Arnold’s quick delivery that led to Liverpool’s fourth goal, which took advantage of Barcelona’s lapse in concentration. Liverpool were caught offside 4 times, while Barcelona had 2 offside calls, reflecting Liverpool’s aggressive forward play.
Summary
Liverpool’s 4-0 victory over Barcelona at Anfield is widely regarded as one of the greatest comebacks in the history of the UEFA Champions League. Trailing 3-0 from the first leg, Liverpool needed a near-perfect performance to overturn the deficit, and they delivered in spectacular fashion.
Divock Origi’s early goal gave Liverpool hope, and Georginio Wijnaldum’s quickfire double early in the second half set the stage for a dramatic conclusion. The decisive moment came from a brilliantly executed corner by Trent Alexander-Arnold, who caught Barcelona’s defense napping, allowing Origi to score his second goal and send Liverpool through to the final.
The result was a devastating blow for Barcelona, who had no answer to Liverpool’s relentless pressure and intensity. Lionel Messi, who had been instrumental in the first leg, was largely contained by a disciplined Liverpool defense.
The match is remembered for the incredible atmosphere at Anfield, Liverpool’s unwavering belief, and the tactical brilliance displayed by Jürgen Klopp and his players. The victory secured Liverpool’s place in the Champions League final, where they went on to win the trophy, completing a remarkable journey that will be remembered for years to come.
