Liverpool v Barcelona Live Commentary & Result, 07/05/2019, UEFA Champions League

Incredible scenes at Anfield, but that is all we have time for. Thanks for tuning in!

Ajax or Tottenham – who play tomorrow – will await them in the final. Barca, meanwhile, must reflect on succumbing to a shock comeback defeat in the Champions League for the second season running.

Liverpool may well not win the Premier League, though of course their battle with Manchester City is going to go right down to the wire. But given they were beaten by Gareth Bale’s moment of magic last season, you would fancy the Reds not to miss out again this time around.

An amazing night at Anfield, as Liverpool have overcome a three-goal deficit to beat Barcelona 4-3 and take their place in the Champions League final, in what is one of the most remarkable matches in the history of the competition. Goals from Origi and Wijnaldum, two of the most unlikely heroes, have put the Reds into a second successive final in Europe's elite club tournament.

90' + 5' FULL TIME: LIVERPOOL 4-0 BARCELONA (4-3 AGG).

90' + 4' Barca have every player in Liverpool’s half, but they are not testing the Reds defence, and are instead going side-to-side. Fabinho then intercepts, and draws a foul, which could be the moment which sees Liverpool through to the final!

90' + 2' A wonderful counter from Liverpool results in Henderson dinking a pass through to Mane, but the offside flag goes up.

D. Sturridge

X. Shaqiri

90' A standing ovation for Shaqiri as he is replaced by Sturridge. There will be five minutes of added time.

89' What an intervention from Van Dijk! Semedo got in behind Gomez, and passed the ball back towards Roberto. But just as he was about to make contact, Liverpool’s centre-back gets across and clears.

88' Van Dijk is fine to continue, and play now goes on. Barca are on the front foot, but all of Liverpool’s players are back behind the ball.

87' Van Dijk is now down, and that will kill more time on the clock. The physios are on, and will give the defender some treatment.

J. Gomez

D. Origi

85' Indeed, it won’t be Shaqiri heading off just yet. Origi is unable to continue, and Gomez has come on, with Klopp – naturally – settling for what Liverpool have.

83' Shaqiri was about to head off, but Origi has now gone down, and requires treatment.

82' Alexander-Arnold has provided more assists in all competitions than any other Liverpool player this season (14).

81' What an amazing turnaround this has been, and a superb performance from Liverpool. But still, one goal for Barca and it would mean the Reds are heading out.

Malcom

I. Rakitić

80' As it stands, Barca are out. They need a goal, and Valverde has put on Malcom in Rakitic’s place.

T. Alexander-Arnold

Assist

79' It was an exceptional finish by Origi, but the credit must go to Alexander-Arnold, who spotted that Barca’s defence were not alert, and delivered a brilliant cross.

D. Origi

Goal

79' OH MY WORD! ORIGI GETS ANOTHER, IT’S 4-3! Brilliant thinking by Alexander-Arnold, who takes a quick corner that catches Barca cold. Origi is not caught out, though, and sends a fantastic first-time finish into the roof of the net.

78' Barca have stepped up the pitch now, and Liverpool are sitting deep, though Klopp will know his team are more than capable of breaking fast on the counter.

76' The free-kick comes to nothing, however, as it is taken short to Alexander-Arnold, whose strike soars over.

Nélson Semedo

Yellow Card

75' Mane does well to pounce on a loose pass, and Semedo has little choice but to commit the foul.

Arthur

A. Vidal

75' A second change for Barca. Vidal has made way, with Arthur – a more measured, composed midfielder than his Chilean team-mate – coming on.

73' Since Semedo’s introduction, Barca have looked more solid, though the impetus and momentum is still firmly with Liverpool.

71' Messi has either created (3) or attempted (5) all eight of Barcelona's shots in this match.

68' CHANCE! Another huge moment for Alisson! A well-worked Barca move sees Messi get in behind, taking the ball down exquisitely on his chest before thumping a strike at goal. Liverpool’s shot-stopper, though, is well placed to make a fine stop.

67' This time, the wall does its job! The strike is deflected wide, and Barca win a corner.

67' Messi stands over the free-kick, and it is from a very similar position to his one at Camp Nou last week…

J. Matip

Yellow Card

66' Without two of their star attackers, this has been an incredible performance from Liverpool, and Klopp has players looking rampant right now. A slip from Rakitic is almost capitalised on, but Barca get away with it, and Messi sprints clear, drawing a foul from Matip.

64' There were just 122 seconds between Wijnaldum's two goals.

62' Liverpool are keeping on the pressure, knowing they still need one more to put themselves ahead in this tie. As it stands, we’re heading towards extra-time, though there is of course plenty of time left for things to change.

Nélson Semedo

Philippe Coutinho

60' Barca are making a change now, and it is Coutinho who has gone off, with Semedo coming on. You have to question Valverde's decision to start the former Liverpool star today, given it has left the visitors so exposed defensively.

58' Well, two goals in the space of two minutes has handed the initiative to Liverpool. Wijnaldum would not have even been on if not for Robertson’s injury, but the former Newcastle United midfielder is proving the Reds’ hero!

X. Shaqiri

Assist

56' Shaqiri hasn't been at his best today, but that cross was excellent, and Wijnaldum duly applied an emphatic finish.

G. Wijnaldum

Goal

56' WIJNALDUM SCORES! IT’S 3-0 TO LIVERPOOL! Shaqiri floats in a fantastic cross, and the substitute is there to meet it with a brilliant header, sending his effort right into the top corner, giving Ter Stegen no chance. The comeback is complete!

56' Both of Wijnaldum's Champions League goals have come in semi-final matches.

G. Wijnaldum

Goal

54' GOAL! LIVERPOOL LEAD 2-0! A mistake from Alba allows the Reds in, and the subsequent cross falls to Wijnaldum – on as a sub for the injured Robertson – who drills home. Ter Stegen really should have done better, but was unable to keep it out.

I. Rakitić

Yellow Card

53' Rakitic gets a booking for a foul on Mane.

52' Suarez should do better! The Uruguayan was through one-on-one with Alisson, but only sends a tame effort straight at Liverpool’s goalkeeper. That was a real chance for Barca to take a huge step towards putting the tie to bed.

51' CLOSE! What an effort from Van Dijk, who manages to turn a back heel goalwards from point-blank range. Ter Stegen reacts brilliantly though, and makes an exceptional save down to his left.

50' Barcelona have won both of their previous Champions League visits to Anfield against Liverpool, winning 3-1 in November 2001 and 1-0 in March 2007. They are back under pressure now, though, with Roberto managing to deny Mane a free route to goal.

48' Shaqiri is afforded a lot of space down the right, and curls in a cross to the back post. Wijnaldum leapt to meet it, but Roberto got there first.

47' The pressure is right back on Barca straight from the off, with Liverpool winning a corner. Shaqiri puts an outswinger in, which finds its way to Vin Dijk, but Alba clears at the second attempt.

46' We are back up and running for the second half!

G. Wijnaldum

A. Robertson

46' Robertson has not been able to overcome that knock he took in the first half, and has had to come off. Wijnaldum is on, with Milner going to left-back.

Klopp’s side still need at least three goals to progress, and will of course require more if they can’t keep Barca out. The visitors have lacked their usual composure at times, and though Messi has looked dangerous, former Liverpool playmaker Coutinho has failed to get into the game, and could well be taken off if Valverde wishes to add more solidity to his set up.

Liverpool lead at half-time at Anfield, thanks to Origi’s early goal. The Belgian tapped home into an empty net after Ter Stegen parried Henderson’s shot back into a dangerous area. The Reds have been on top for much of the game so far, though Alisson has been called into action to keep Barca at bay at the other end.

45' + 5' HALF-TIME: LIVERPOOL 1-0 BARCELONA (1-3 AGG).

45' + 4' Big save by Alisson! Messi threads a sublime pass through to Alba, who takes the ball in his stride and tries to poke a finish beyond Liverpool’s goalkeeper. The former Roma man is out quickly though, and smothers the danger.

45' + 3' CLOSE! Almost an equaliser for Barca! Shaqiri concedes possession, and Vidal pounces, laying it off for Messi. He exchanges passes with Roberto and then lets rip with a low effort, but it goes just wide of the right-hand post.

Sergio Busquets

Yellow Card

45' + 1' A first booking now for Barca, and it is Busquets who gets it. The midfielder charged in on Fabinho, but misses the ball, and catches Liverpool’s man with his shoulder.

45' There will be four minutes added time.

43' Superb defending from Pique, who makes a crucial intervention to prevent Mane latching onto Shaqiri’s lofted pass. Liverpool are building up the pressure, and now have a corner, with Vidal deflecting Robertson’s strike wide.

41' After the medical staff have finished their assessments, Robertson is deemed fit to continue.

40' Robertson is down now, receiving treatment after what appeared to be a slight collision with Suarez.

39' Messi takes matters into his own hands with another run from deep, and with Fabinho – who is on a booking – unable to challenge, Mane has to track back, and just does enough to stop Barca’s star man getting through.

37' A poor clearance by Coutinho – who has been largely anonymous so far on his Anfield return – allows Liverpool to regain possession high upfield, with Shaqiri looping in a cross to the far post. He gets too much power on it, though, and Ter Stegen gathers it in under little pressure.

35' Mane wants a free-kick, after claiming he was shoved by Lenglet as he attempted to chase down a throughball. The referee dismisses his appeals, though, signalling that the Senegal forward dived, although no booking is shown.

33' Henderson is back to his feet, and will look to carry on, although he doesn’t look to be moving freely.

32' Both Alba and Lenglet are back on, but now Liverpool captain Henderson requires treatment, having gone down awkwardly on the edge of Barca’s box.

30' Two Barca players – Alba and Lenglet – are down in a heap, having collided into each other, after the latter appeared to have clashed with Mane. The physios are on.

29' Wonderful play by Messi, who has five Liverpool defenders ahead of him, but still manages to pick out Rakitic with a weighted pass over the top. The Croatia midfielder gets a cross back in, but Robertson is well placed to deal with the danger.

28' Liverpool are looking to become only the third team in the history of the European Cup or Champions League to come from three goals down after the first leg of a semi-final and progress to the final.

26' Crucial work from Robertson now down the other end, as he gets back just in time to stop Suarez getting on the end of Vidal’s cross.

24' SAVE! What a shot that was by Robertson, who unleashed a wicked first-time effort from around 20 yards out. For a moment, Ter Stegen looks to have misjudged it, but the Barca goalkeeper manages to get a hand to it, and the visitors escape unscathed.

23' That’s a vital block by Pique! Robertson did brilliantly to cut a first-time cross back to Henderson, whose toe-poke is heading for goal until Barca’s centre-back gets his head on it.

21' Henderson is furious, after he dived in on Busquets. Liverpool’s captain is convinced he won the ball, but the referee did not hesitate in awarding Barca the free-kick. Moments later, Suarez draws a rash tackle from Milner, as the visitors work their way into this contest.

19' Close from Messi! From the resulting corner, Barca’s number 10 picks up the scraps on the edge of the area, hammering a strike at goal. Alisson is somewhat stranded on his line, but the ball whistles a foot wide.

18' CHANCE! Another big save by Alisson! A sweeping Barca move results in Messi getting clear of Fabinho and teeing up Coutinho, whose finish lacks enough power to beat Liverpool’s goalkeeper. The Brazil international still had to make a good save, however, parrying the ball away from danger, unlike Ter Stegen in the build up to Origi’s opener.

17' With his opener, Origi has become the 50th different player to score a Champions League goal for Liverpool.

15' CLOSE! Finally, Barca work a patient move together, with Coutinho playing in Alba, who in turn cut the ball back to Messi. He tried his luck with a deft curling effort, but Alisson tips it over.

13' Barca have not managed to assert any authority on proceedings yet, and that is playing right into Liverpool’s hands, with the home side wanting to play direct, full-throttle football. It has been a fantastic start by Klopp's side.

Fabinho

Yellow Card

11' A first booking of the game goes Fabinho’s way, after he lunges in on Suarez. Liverpool’s midfielder claims that he got the ball, but the replays showed that was not the case.

10' NO PENALTY! Mane drops his shoulder and easily gets around Roberto, who is forced into a rather clumsy challenge to prevent Liverpool’s forward getting through. Mane goes down under the pressure, but the referee is having none of it.

9' Origi has scored in back-to-back appearances for Liverpool for the first time since April 2017, 762 days ago.

8' The comeback could well and truly be on, with Klopp’s side looking rampant. Barca has managed to get the ball up the other end for the first time since the opening minute, with Suarez winning a corner. A goal for the away side would, of course, mean Liverpool would have to score five on the night to progress.

D. Origi

Goal

7' GOAL! LIVERPOOL LEAD 1-0! Origi puts the home side ahead! Their hero on Saturday, the Belgian has just tucked in from close range after Ter Stegen parried out Henderson’s effort.

6' The hosts are applying the pressure, but so far Barca’s defence are standing firm. Without Salah and Firmino, Mane is going to have to be right on his game today, and he is the target of a Fabinho pass, but Roberto gets across to force a corner.

5' Liverpool have only managed one win in their last nine games against Spanish opposition in all competitions, a 3-0 win at home to Villarreal in the Europa League semi-final second leg in May 2016, during Klopp's first season at Anfield.

3' The atmosphere - as expected - is crackling at Anfield, and Barca are definitely going to have to withstand some early pressure. Liverpool may be three goals down, but should they score early, Klopp will know they have every chance of coming back.

2' Perhaps a sign of things to come, as Messi - Barca’s hero in the first leg - drives forward from deep, and only a challenge by Robertson stops the Argentine from getting through. Liverpool then race up the other end, with Shaqiri aiming to pick out Henderson, but Alba just gets there first, prodding the ball out for a corner.

1' KICK-OFF! We are up and running at Anfield. A place in the final awaits for one of these prestigious sides!

We’re almost ready for kick-off at Anfield, where, following a rousing rendition of Liverpool’s anthem You’ll Never Walk Alone from the home fans, the two teams are about to make their way out onto the pitch.

Valverde made 11 changes in total for Barca’s trip to Celta, and the former Athletic Bilbao coach has made the same amount of alterations now. Barca lost 2-0 on Saturday, but with their star names all well rested, that defeat should not have had too much of an impact on their morale.

BARCELONA SUBS: Nelson Semedo, Arthur, Jasper Cillessen, Malcom, Samuel Umtiti, Thomas Vermaelen, Carles Alena.

BARCELONA (4-4-2): Marc-Andre ter Stegen; Sergi Roberto, Gerard Pique, Clement Lenglet, Jordi Alba; Arturo Vidal, Ivan Rakitic, Sergio Busquets; Philippe Coutinho; Lionel Mesis, Luis Suarez.

Four changes in total from Klopp, compared to the side that started in the win over Newcastle. Origi scored the Reds’ late winner, and is rewarded with a start in place of Sturridge, while Salah is replaced by Shaqiri. In midfield, Milner comes in for Wijnaldum - who played as a forward in the first leg of this tie - while Lovren makes way for Matip in defence.

LIVERPOOL SUBS: Georginio Wijnaldum, Dejan Lovren, Joe Gomez, Daniel Sturridge, Simon Mignolet, Rhian Brewster, Ben Woodburn.

LIVERPOOL (4-3-3): Alisson; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Virgil van Dijk, Andrew Robertson; Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, James Milner; Xherdan Shaqiri, Divock Origi, Sadio Mane.

Klopp does still have a hugely talented squad at his disposal, with Liverpool well in the hunt for a double. Their Premier League title race with Manchester City is going to go down to the final day, but first and foremost they must go up against Barca, who were able to rest a host of their star names against Celta Vigo on Saturday, given they already have the league title wrapped up.

Goals from former Liverpool favourite Luis Suarez and the magnificent Lionel Messi secured the win for LaLiga champions Barca at Camp Nou last Wednesday, and Jurgen Klopp’s side face a huge task in attempting to overturn the deficit. To make matters more difficult, the Reds are without two of their key players, with Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino both out injured.

Hello and welcome, to live coverage of the Champions League semi-finals! Liverpool host Barcelona in today’s game, with Ernesto Valverde’s side leading 3-0 from the first leg. Can Liverpool turn it around, or will Barca claim their spot in the final on June 1? Stick right here as we bring you all the action as it happens!

Liverpool v Barcelona Live Commentary, 07/05/2019

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