Tonight saw Liverpool actually accomplish what everyone knew was improbable, and most believed impossible. Down 3-0 on aggregate to Barcelona in their Champions League semifinal tie, and playing without two of their top three attackers, Liverpool still found a way, winning the home leg 4-0 and thus 4-3 on aggregate.
Through to the UCL final, they will learn their opponent tomorrow night when Tottenham Hotspur plays at Ajax. European nights are magical at Anfield, and this might have been one of the most magical of all time.
After the match, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was caught up in the emotion of this very powerful event, and told BT Sport: “These boys are fucking giants. Fine me for swearing if you want.”
“If you have to fine me, fine me. I’m not native so I don’t have better words for it. It’s 10 past 10, the children are probably in bed.”
“These boys are giants. Creating this kind of emotional atmosphere together is so special. It’s all about the players. James Milner was crying at the end.”
In addition to welcoming a fine that may be forthcoming, Klopp spoke in detail about how much this victory meant.
“It’s so special – the mix of potential and unbelievable heart — I’ve never seen it before,” he continued.
Jurgen Klopp: "They are fucking mentality giants. It means so much to all of us, I really mean all of us." ?? pic.twitter.com/2S8aVwfsYx
— This Is Anfield (@thisisanfield) May 7, 2019
Tonight Klopp and his Liverpool side showed us exactly why this sport is called the beautiful game.
“Putting in a performance like this on the pitch, it was so important — it shows what’s possible in football. It’s so nice, it’s really nice.”
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, the author of “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets:Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry,” regularly appears on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, also contributes to Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.