Liverpool fell short against Chelsea last week despite Christian Benteke’s late equaliser, however, the general consensus surrounding Anfield is that this Wednesday in Switzerland is the only fixture that matters. The Europa League final against Spain’s Sevilla, the Reds’ chance at some silverware and a place in the Champions League.
It is an exciting time to be a Liverpool supporter even in the face of a stop-and-start season. Jurgen Klopp has refreshed the side with an aggression and drive to be successful and the supporters have clung onto that. Delivering the decibels off the pitch, it brings moments of nostalgia when thinking back to some of the club’s grandest European nights.
So, let us relive some of them. Outside90’s Jake O’Brien looks at five of the best showings Liverpool have produced in continental competition:
- Liverpool 3 Olympiakos 1 December 8, 2004
Steven Gerrard been Liverpool’s saviour more times than one can count and long before the Reds conquered Istanbul they were in deep trouble, on the brink of a group stage exit at the hands of Olympiakos.
Rafa Benitez’ side needed to win by two goals or more to advance and that was before Brazilian legend Rivaldo scored the opener for the Greek side, making Liverpool’s task seem all but impossible. However, the Anfield crowd rallied and goals from Florent Sinama Pongelle and Neil Mellor edged the hosts in front, yet they needed another if they were going to progress.
It is not that difficult to guess what happened next. Gerrard produced a trademark long-range volley to send the Reds through to the knockout stages. That never gets old.
- Liverpool 4 Real Madrid 0 March 10, 2009
It is rare to be able to claim a victory over Real Madrid in the Champions League and it is even rarer to say the scoreline was 4-0. However, Liverpool did manage just that, and if you include the first leg the scoreline reads 5-0.
Rafa Benitez’ side did the hard work in winning at the Bernabéu and all they had to do was not concede, yet no one would have predicted what happened next.
After a mistake at the back from Madrid, Dirk Kuyt pounced and Fernando Torres opened the scoring, which was followed by Gerrard spot-kick after a questionable Gabriel Heinze handball.
The Liverpool captain was then at it again with a technically superb finish from a Ryan Babel cross, and lastly to cap the historic night off, Andrea Dossena slid the fourth past Iker Casillas in the 87th minute.
- Liverpool 4 Borussia Dortmund 3 April 15, 2016
After a tight and tense 1-1 draw in the first leg, Liverpool returned to Anfield where Jurgen Klopp welcomed his former side into his new home. However, it did not start how the German would have wanted, as Henrikh Mkhitaryan opened the scoring and not long after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang made it 2-0.
The second-half saw a revitalised Liverpool take the field and Divock Origi got them one back at the Kop end, yet Dortmund bit right back through Marco Reus. The Reds were 3-1 down and needed a miracle. It came. Goals from Philippe Coutinho, Mamadou Sakho and Dejan Lovren sent the home side through to the semi-finals of the Europa League.
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- Liverpool 1 Roma 1 (4-2 on pens) May 30, 1984
Saying every European Cup final is huge is an understatement, however, when you meet a Roma side that had not conceded at home over continental competition all season, then it is fair to say the obvious.
Liverpool were already up against the wall before kick-off, but Phil Neal did the seemingly impossible and breached Roma’s impeccable defence. The Merseysiders’ lead was later cut short as Roberto Pruzzo equalised.
That sent the match to extra-time and eventually penalties, in which the jelly-legged Bruce Grobbelaar was the hero, helping the Reds to a 4-2 win and their fourth European title.
- Liverpool 3 AC Milan 3 (3-2 pens) May 25, 2005
We do not need to go into specifics here, as words would not do the tale justice. All you need to know is Liverpool were 3-0 down at halftime before this happened.
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