Liverpool produced a rousing late comeback to defeat Borussia Dortmund in the Europa League quarter-final.

At a buoyant Anfield, the hosts appeared down and out following first-half goals from Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Divock Origi seemed to have given the Reds a lifeline before Marco Reus struck another vital goal for the visitors.

But Philippe Coutinho, Mamadou Sakho and a stoppage-time header from Dejan Lovren completed an incredible fightback to book Jurgen Klopp’s side a place in the semi-finals.

Here were the main talking points from a remarkable evening at Anfield…

Klopp’s conquering spares defensive blushes

 

All the talk in the build-up to the game was of the head-to-head involving Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel.

Tuchel has followed a remarkably similar path to the Liverpool manager, and with the pair also working together at Mainz, the current Dortmund boss joked earlier this week that he already knows his next managerial destination.

What was to follow on the pitch was truly titanic in nature. Anfield has conjured up a plethora of special European nights, with the Reds often starting quickly and overwhelming overawed guests. This was entirely different, however, as Liverpool’s late rally shocked a Dortmund side who looked to have had the tie done and dusted as early as the 8th minute.

Liverpool, it seemed, were dead and buried, but they responded in impressive fashion. What the away side hadn’t counted on, however, was most remarkable of second-half comebacks.

Desire wins through on barmy Anfield night

 

Backed by the vociferous home support, Liverpool started the second period in lively fashion. Anfield was bouncing, and the Reds responded in kind by delivering an incredible second half performance that asked serious questions of the startled away team.

After Divock Origi’s goal shortly after the break, German international Marco Reus’ 56th minute goal looked set to be the sucker punch that all but ended Liverpool’s hopes of an unlikely comeback.

But Klopp’s double change, with Origi and Roberto Firmino making way for Joe Allen and Daniel Sturridge, gave Anfield a sense of belief, and the players fresh momentum. It was a final roll of the dice that paid dividends just five minutes later as Coutinho’s precise finish from the edge of the box whistled past the helpless Weidenfeller.

When Mahmadou Sakho tapped home after Dortmund’s defence failed to clear their lines, just the one, solitary goal was needed. Anfield sensed victory, and it came via the unlikeliest of sources, in the most dramatic of circumstances, with Dejan Lovren’s 92nd minute winner shaking the old stadium to its very foundations.

For all this side’s failings- and there are several- there is a never-say-die attitude from players and supporters alike that will serve them well when they next encounter opposition of this calibre. On this occasion, it was quite simply the difference.

Origi starting to find his feet as main striker

 

Divock Origi was preferred to more esteemed strike partner Daniel Sturridge for last night’s crucial game following a string of good performances- including a goal in last week’s first-leg at the Signal Iduna Park stadium.

Origi, who now has 4 goals in his last 3 starts for the Reds, hustled and harried Dortmund’s defenders at every opportunity last night and was a constant threat in behind as the Germans played a characteristic high line.

Indeed, it was his poked goal early in the second half that gave Liverpool hope when all seemed lost.

It is not unreasonable to expect widespread changes at Anfield this summer, as manager Jurgen Klopp attempts to mold this Liverpool squad in his image. Some who featured last night may not have a long-term future at the club.

It is hard, for example, to see how error-prone Mahmadou Sakho will fit into the Reds manager’s plans- but Origi is earning the trust of the German, and increasingly looks the part.

Quite a turn-around in fortunes for the youngster after such an inauspicious start to his Liverpool career.

Klopp’s words inspire second-half comeback

 

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp demands total commitment from his players, with a ruthlessly efficient high-intensity system designed to simultaneously negate the strengths of the opposition and also provide a cutting edge in the final third of the pitch.

It wasn’t always the case here, as the visitors broke through Liverpool’s press at will during a below-par first half for the Reds, with half chances also spurned by Origi and Lallana at the other end of the pitch.

However, the former Dortmund coach is a motivator of the highest order and has a proven track when it comes to getting results, with Divock Origi admitting after the match that his inspiring half-time speech that referenced Istanbul was the catalyst for the stark changes in fortunes after the break.

This, it must be said, is not his squad, and the German will surely look to make changes this summer. Tweaks will be made, with Klopp forced for now to make the most of the talent already at his disposal.

With that in mind, last night’s victory over an excellent Borussia Dortmund side almost certain to be playing Champions League football next season, is an even greater achievement.

Finally, the Reds have a world-class manager befitting of their lofty ambitions.