Liverpool have performed the unthinkable and knocked Barcelona out of the Champions League.
Liverpool are into the Champions League final for a second year in a row after performing a miraculous comeback to beat Barcelona 4-0 on Tuesday night, securing a 4-3 aggregate win.
Jurgen Klopp’s men were 3-0 down from the first leg after a superb showing from Lionel Messi at the Camp Nou, and their task was made even harder with Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino both out injured.
However, Divock Origi stepped up the plate, scoring an early goal from close range to set Liverpool on their way to a stunning fightback.
Half time substitute Georginio Wijnaldum then scored two quickfire goals to make it 3-3, with his second a fine header from a Xherdan Shaqiri cross.
A memorable night at Anfield then became one of the best ever, as Trent Alexander-Arnold’s quickly-taken corner picked out Origi to grab his second and send Liverpool into the final again.
Origi will grab the headlines for his winning goal, but Wijnaldum really set Liverpool on their way with his brace, and his display unsurprisingly sparked a reaction amongst Newcastle fans.
Newcastle signed Wijnaldum from PSV Eindhoven for £14.5million in 2015, but then sold him to Liverpool for £25million just a year later (BBC), following their relegation to the Championship.
The Dutchman’s display prompted Magpies fans to take to Twitter and share their thoughts, with many admitting they still love Wijnaldum, praising him as ‘quality’, ‘a class act’ and the ‘complete midfielder’.
Others cursed that his one season with the club was mostly spent under Steve McClaren, and wished that he could have stayed for a little longer, taking a shot at Mike Ashley – no doubt for hiring McClaren and then selling Wijnaldum, even if a move to Liverpool from a Championship club is some step up.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
