Liverpool staged one of the most dramatic comebacks Anfield has seen to overcome Borussia Dortmund in a classic and reach the Europa League semi-final.
Jurgen Klopp’s side were twice left needing three goals to go through in the face of Dortmund’s rapier attacks – but climbed the mountain twice with Dejan Lovren’s injury-time header from James Milner’s cross concluding a night packed with drama and emotion.
Anfield commemorated the 27th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster, in which 96 supporters died, with an impeccably observed minute’s silence before kick-off – followed by a thriller that will be recalled for generations for sheer excitement and a finale that sent Anfield wild.
The Bundesliga side struck twice inside the first 10 minutes through Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – both after swift breaks, with the latter sealed with a crisp 14-yard strike – to take a 3-1 aggregate lead in the tie. The German side missed numerous more chances to extend their lead as Liverpool struggled to cope with their attacking threat.
The Reds slowly grew into the game, creating and missing a succession of chances. Even when Divock Origi gave them hope early in the second half – slotting the ball through the legs of keeper Roman Weidenfeller – it seemed to have been snuffed out by Marco Reus’s cool 57th-minute finish.
They still needed three goals with less than 25 minutes left but Philippe Coutinho’s low shot cut the deficit and when Mamadou Sakho headed in after 77 minutes, Liverpool stood on the brink of something remarkable.
And amid riotous scenes, Lovren rose to head home James Milner’s cross at the far post in stoppage time in front of the Kop to spark chaotic celebrations and seal a win that will take its place in Anfield folklore.
‘You could feel it, hear it, smell it’ – Klopp likens win to Istanbul 2005
Relive the goals from BBC Radio 5 live
Liverpool fan to call newborn baby Dejan
The Klopp effect
Klopp received a rapturous reception from the fans who idolised him in Dortmund when he walked along the Anfield touchline before kick-off – but he then inflicted agony on the club he took to two Bundesliga titles and the Champions League Final.
As Liverpool chased the game in the closing stages, Klopp was almost wound up to the point of frenzy, turning around to the crowd beneath Anfield’s directors’ box whirling his arms in encouragement and gesturing wildly for more vocal support.
It kept the momentum going and Liverpool’s supporters believing right through the dark moments when Dortmund controlled the game, inspiring his players to that sensational finale.
The turnaround revived memories of the so-called “Miracle Of Istanbul” in 2005 when they came from 3-0 down at half-time to win the Champions League final against AC Milan.
This may not bring a trophy, but Klopp can now take his place alongside other Liverpool managers who have their names alongside famous victories.
Take a bow Liverpool
When Klopp urged Liverpool’s players to take a bow in front of the Kop after they claimed a 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion in injury time earlier this season, he was mocked and the gesture was taken as a signal of how low expectations had fallen.
The bow was back in front of the Kop at the final whistle here and no-one would begrudge Klopp or anyone else for taking in the acclaim.
When Klopp took over from sacked Brendan Rodgers in October, he set about rebuilding the relationship between Liverpool’s players and disillusioned supporters. He has already forged the bond and nights like this will only cement it further.
Liverpool could have gone under when they needed three goals to go through but they created a host of chances throughout the game and not for one moment did they resemble a team who felt the task was beyond them.
On and on they came against a Dortmund side who, while dangerous in attack, gave Liverpool a chance at the back all night – one chance too many in the end.
Anfield has seen many great nights and this can be added to the list.
Liverpool still have problems
It almost seems an insult to suggest it after the feast of football witnessed at Anfield, but for all the drama and the surge of attacking football that eventually swept Dortmund aside, Liverpool still look so vulnerable at the back.
Sakho is a fans’ favourite and contributed a goal but he was guilty of poor positioning that contributed to all three Dortmund goals.
And with left-back Alberto Moreno also a weak link, Klopp has work to do in the defensive areas – but no-one was too concerned with that after a truly remarkable Anfield night.
Liverpool’s greatest comebacks
The victory over Dortmund continued a long tradition of famous and emotional European nights for Liverpool.
The most memorable of these surely remains the 2005 Champions League final, when Rafael Benitez’s team came from 3-0 down at half-time to draw 3-3 with AC Milan before winning the match on penalties. Liverpool fans often talk about the spirit of Istanbul – and it was clearly in evidence on Thursday.
But it is not the only memorable European night for the club. In December 2004, Liverpool needed to win by a margin of two clear goals against Olympiakos to qualify for the knockout stage of the Champions League.
Rivaldo put the Greek side ahead but Liverpool fought back with Steven Gerrard scoring a late winner.
Back in 1977, Liverpool returned to Anfield for the second leg of a European Cup tie against French side St-Etienne trailing 1-0.
The Reds took the lead but needed to score twice more after Dominique Bathenay’s equaliser. However, goals from Ray Kennedy and super-sub David Fairclough ensured they did just that.
The stats you need to know
Divock Origi has netted four goals in his last three Liverpool games after failing to score in his nine games previous to that.
James Milner has now been involved in more Liverpool goals than any other player in 2015-16 (19 – seven goals, 12 assists).
Liverpool have never lost at home to German opposition in European competition (W11 D3).
Liverpool’s four goals came from their only four shots on target in the entire game.
The Reds conceded three goals at Anfield in a European tie for only the sixth time in their history.
Aubameyang has now scored 37 goals in 44 games for Borussia Dortmund this season.
Dortmund scored more goals (2) in the opening nine minutes of the game tonight than German opposition had managed in 13 previous trips to Anfield (one goal).
What next?
Liverpool will be in Friday’s draw for the last four of the Europa League. That will be covered in Sportsday on the BBC Sport website.
Klopp’s team return to Premier League action when they play at Bournemouth on Sunday, kick-off at 13:30 BST.
Dortmund, who are seven points behind leaders Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga, will have to try to recover in time to host Hamburg on Sunday.
Line-ups
Match Stats
Live Text
Line-ups
Liverpool
22Mignolet
2Clyne
6Lovren
17SakhoBooked at 90mins
18Moreno
7Milner
23CanSubstituted forLucasat 80′minutes
20LallanaSubstituted forAllenat 62′minutes
11FirminoSubstituted forSturridgeat 62′minutes
10Coutinho
27Origi
Substitutes
15Sturridge
21Lucas
24Allen
37Skrtel
44Smith
52Ward
54Ojo
Bor Dortmd
1Weidenfeller
26PiszczekBooked at 75mins
25Papastathopoulos
15HummelsBooked at 53mins
29SchmelzerBooked at 90mins
27CastroSubstituted forGündoganat 82′minutes
33Weigl
10Mkhitaryan
23KagawaSubstituted forGinterat 77′minutes
11ReusSubstituted forRamosat 83′minutes
17Aubameyang
Substitutes
6Bender
8Gündogan
18Sahin
20Ramos
22Pulisic
28Ginter
38Bürki
Referee:
Cüneyt Çakir
Match Stats
Home TeamLiverpoolAway TeamBor Dortmd
Possession
Home58%
Away42%
Shots
Home21
Away12
Shots on Target
Home4
Away6
Corners
Home11
Away2
Fouls
Home12
Away17
Live Text
Posted at
Match ends, Liverpool 4, Borussia Dortmund 3.
Full Time
Posted at 90′+5′
Second Half ends, Liverpool 4, Borussia Dortmund 3.
Posted at 90′+5′
Attempt missed. Ilkay Gündogan (Borussia Dortmund) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left from a direct free kick.
Posted at 90′+4′
Foul by Lucas Leiva (Liverpool).
Posted at 90′+4′
Marcel Schmelzer (Borussia Dortmund) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 90′+3′
Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 90′+3′
Foul by Lukasz Piszczek (Borussia Dortmund).
Goal!
Posted at 90′+1′
Goal! Liverpool 4, Borussia Dortmund 3. Dejan Lovren (Liverpool) header from the left side of the six yard box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by James Milner with a cross following a set piece situation.
Booking
Posted at 90′+1′
Marcel Schmelzer (Borussia Dortmund) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Posted at 90′
Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Posted at 90′
Foul by Marcel Schmelzer (Borussia Dortmund).
Posted at 87′
Foul by Lucas Leiva (Liverpool).
Posted at 87′
Julian Weigl (Borussia Dortmund) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 87′