Liverpool reached the Champions League final with an improbable comeback against Barcelona.

Divock Origi put the hosts ahead early on in the first half with an instinctive finish after Sadio Mane capitalised on a mistake by Jordi Alba deep in his own half.

Substitute Georgino Wijnaldum doubled the lead for Jurgen Klopp’s side after the interval when he converted a Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross.

Less than a minute later, the Dutch midfielder added a second with a header which squared the Reds’ aggregate score in the semi-final against the Catalans.

Just 11 minutes from time, Origi completed the remarkable turnaround with a clipped effort into the Kop net from a quickly taken corner by Alexander-Arnold.

Here were the key talking points from Anfield:

Anfield’s greatest night

 

If Liverpool were to bow out of the Champions League, they had been ordered to ‘fail in the most beautiful way’ – maybe Jurgen Klopp was onto something.

Because if this is what failing looks like, they have mastered it down to an art.

The Reds had been written off after last week’s first leg. Turning around the deficit without Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino appeared improbable.

But you can never truly bet against them – especially after a night like this.

Anfield did not simply overturn Barcelona’s previously unassailable lead; it was drowned in a cauldron of noise, relentless football and pure passion.

The famous old ground has seen its fair share of memorable evenings but this firmly ranks above Inter Milan in 1965, St Etienne in 1977 and Chelsea in 2005.

In the end, Salah’s T-shirt said it all: never give up.

Two strikers for the price of one

 

In Klopp’s eyes, two of the world’s best strikers were not available for this clash.

What Liverpool lacked in Firmino and Salah’s absence, however, Divock Origi more than compensated for with a vital brace and another haring performance.

The Belgian has been forced to fight for his future on Merseyside but his goals have continually proved decisive in steering them to a potential promised land.

Hopes of a long-awaited Premier League title remain alive heading into the final day thanks to Origi’s late strikes against Everton and, more recently, Newcastle.

A bit-part player though he invariably remains, the 24-year-old has routinely helped Liverpool along and stepped up to the plate when called upon.

Supplementing the shortfall of his attacking cohorts proved invaluable.

Reds get revenge on Suarez

 

Fresh from an incendiary first leg, Luis Suarez had pledged to be more contrite.

If he scored at Anfield, the Barca striker claimed he would not celebrate.

He didn’t even have the chance with Liverpool’s defence shackling its former talisman on the pitch while the Kop firmly ramped up the ante off it.

Every cheap foul Suarez either adminstered or won was greeted with vociferous boos and chants of ‘cheat cheat cheat!’. How times change for the Uruguayan.

Such antics were lionised during his time in a red shirt but there is no room for sentiment in football, especially when a Champions League final place is at stake.

Alexander-Arnold outsmarts Messi

 

One moment of set-piece genius was always going to decide this tie.

Contrary to general consensus, it was not Lionel Messi’s beautifully crafted free kick at the Nou Camp just six days ago but a move of simple quick thinking.

Barcelona will rue allowing Trent Alexander-Arnold both time and space to send in a swift corner for Origi to turn home Liverpool’s all-important fourth goal.

The West Derby-born defender does not require the same level of pomp and ceremony which greets Messi’s every attempt to curl the ball in from 30 yards.

Boxing clever has routinely paid off for Alexander-Arnold this season but none more handsomely than sending his boyhood club into a European Cup final.