Liverpool Finish Comeback for the Ages

Liverpool had everything in front of them as they headed into their second leg against Borussia Dortmund.  They had the game at home in front of the Kop.  They had the away goal.  They had a healthy lineup ready to go coming off the strong draw last week and a win over the weekend.  They also had one of the most stirring renditions of You'll Never Walk Alone sung by the entire Anfield Stadium, including the Dortmund fans.

Things could not have gotten off to a worse start though.

In the fourth minute, Coutinho turned the ball over and that led to a Dortmund break.  Mignolet made a fantastic save on Aubameyang but could not scramble to get to the rebound put in by Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

Then in the eigth minute, another giveaway in the attacking end led to a break for Marco Reus who slotted it through to Aubameyang who banged it into the upper 90.  How he was left alone on the backside is beyond anyone and much of the blame has to lay with Alberto Moreno who could not track back.

In the 21st minute, a great team build up only led to a chance for Adam Lallana who just absolutely whiffed.  Divock Origi just missed on a deflection from a Milner cross in the 25th as the Reds attempted to shake off the cobwebs.

Liverpool's defense started becoming swiss cheese during the initial comeback attempt.  Aubameyang put a Reus cross just wide after getting in behind again in the 36th.  Fortunately, that was the last time the goal was severely threatened before the break.

So, Liverpool down 2-0 in the match, going into the second half had everything to do and got things started off right.

In the 48th minute Coutinho slotted a lovely little ball through on the break for Origi and the Belgian managed to toe poke it past the Dortmund keeper.  Liverpool were dominating possession and chances but could not find that final ball.  Then luck turned against them.

Reus received the ball just onside and in behind Nathaniel Clyne and right footed it past the sliding Simon Mignolet for an almost assuredly series clinching goal.  The tally put the German side up by two both on aggregate and in the game.  It would take a herculean effort to come back.

But legends exist based on some sort of fact and we may have seen a new legend born on this night at Anfield.  The air was seemingly sucked out of both the stadium and the team, but all it took was one strike.

Milner was the give part of a give and go with Coutinho and the Brazilian flashed one past the keeper from the top of the box to get the proverbial ball rolling.  2-3 in the game and 3-4 on aggregate at that point.

However that one play sent a jolt through both teams.  Almost immediately, Origi just missed an equalizing goal.  The game calmed down a bit on the pitch, but not for long.

In the 78th minute, after an injury to Emre Can, Liverpool gained a corner.  The kick was rather poor and didn't clear the first defender. However, a missed flick by Daniel Sturridge actually served to throw the defenders off and Sakho slid in, picked it up off the bounce and headed it in for the tie.

All knotted up on aggregate and in the game but Liverpool still had to win since they had given up three away goals.  As the game wore on, the exuberance was replaced by nerves for both sides but definitely the fans in red.  Were they really going to charge all the way back only to fall on the away goal rule?

Then the most unlikeliest of heroes stepped forward.  Liverpool were given a free kick just on the attacking side of the line.  They played it through on the ground to Sturridge who struggled to get hold of it.  Then he cheekily backheeled it through the defender's legs to Milner who sliced it to the back post.

The oft maligned Dejan Lovren was there.  He skied above the defender and headed it in on the back post completing the most improbable of comebacks.

The win keeps Liverpool's dream of playing in the Champions League alive and well when it seemed like the plug was about to be pulled.  The league is all but untenable given the amount of teams between the Reds and the top four and even getting back to the Europa League isn't a given so it's all or nothing in this year's Europa.

Liverpool, much like their manager, never gave up even though every sane sentiment said they should have.  They played like champions even though it was only a quarterfinal and won.

Dortmund didn't deserve to lose.  They are a fine club, but as their own Mats Hummels said, they got the jitters.  Liverpool took advantage and we all got to take advantage and saw one of the finest games we're likely to see for some time.

Random Thoughts:

- Of all the times to not be able to see the game live, of course it would be for this game.  I saw the first half and had to go ref a high school game.  I saw they scored the first goal on twitter and then nothing until I got home to watch the rest.  So clearly I won the game since I turned it off.

- Was it me or did Lovren look a little defiant while looking into the Kop after his goal.  I know a lot of players celebrate in such a manner but it almost had an air of "where are all your jeers and comments now?"

- Things are now set up pretty well.  Dortmund was the last of the big traditional clubs in the tournament so LIverpool have things in their favor.  Big clubs don't win Europa in recent years, but as long as the Reds don't take anyone for granted they have it all in front of them.

Walk On