Lovren’s
Last-Gasp Winner Stuns Dortmund
Liverpool
clinched a semi-final spot in the Europa League with a dramatic 4-3 win (Agg 5-4)
over Borrusia Dortmund.
Before
the match, the 27th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster; when
96 fans went to a football match and never came home; was commemorated with a
minutes silence and a mosaic displayed amongst the Kop.
The
game started in the worst possible manner for Jurgen Klopp’s side as Dortmund
raced to a 2-0 lead after just 9 minutes with goals from Armenian, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Gabon’s Pierre-Emerick
Aubameyang. Dortmund’s quick counter-attacks proved too much for
Liverpool with Dortmund wasting several chances to increase their lead in the
tie. Due to Dortmund’s stubborn and resilient defence the reds went into half
time 2-0 down on the night and 3-1 down in the tie.
In comparison to the first,
Liverpool came out like a house on fire in the second half, showing direct
purpose in their play. They got their reward two minutes after the break, when Belgium
Striker Divock Origi scored his fourth goal in three games by poking the ball
past veteran keeper Weidenfeller
thus bringing Liverpool back into the game but still needing two more goals to
progress. The goal lifted Anfield, giving belief to the fans that they could
come back from an improbable position – this hope was soon grabbed away from
the energized fans as German Marco Reus found the bottom corner of the net
after 57 minutes – killing the crowd once again.
In response, Klopp made two changes, bringing Firmino and Lallana off
for Daniel Sturridge and Joe Allen. Allen’s dynamic play started to control the
midfield making some key passes and with Sturridge’s movement, Dortmund’s
defence had another goal threat to think about.
25 minutes were left when the magician, Phillipe Coutinho, revived the
hope in supporters as he struck a low, powerful whipped shot into the bottom corner.
He turned away throwing his arms passionately in the air, lifting the Anfield
faithful.
Liverpool 2-3 Dortmund.
Liverpool 2-3 Dortmund.
Suddenly, Dortmund’s defence seemed to panic – rushing clearances,
misplaced passes – Coutinho’s goal looked to have disrupted them. Multiple
corners were whipped into the box by Liverpool, but they failed to clear the first
man causing the Kop to vent their frustration towards experienced head James
Milner. This continued until a cross ironically fell to the first man but
Daniel Sturridge’s attempted flick confused the defence allowing the ball to
fall to the cult figure Mamadou Sakho who nodded home to level the tie at 4-4. An
Anfield roar bellowed out of the Kop, showcasing their belief that with
thirteen minutes to go, this Liverpool side could seize a late winner.
Liverpool 3-3 Dortmund.
Chants of Liverpool rang around Anfield in the hope that it would drive their team to the winner. As the minutes ticked on by, anxiousness grew heavily within the crowd, they knew their team were one goal away from reaching a semi-final in Europe. 4 added minutes. Liverpool had a free kick just past the half way line. Milner slipped the ball down the line to Daniel Sturridge, his loose touch prompted groans amongst the crowd. However his quick turn and pass set through an advancing James Milner, who stood the ball up to the back post and in came Lovren with a bullet header into the top corner.
Liverpool had done it. One of the greatest comebacks Anfield has seen
which prompted electric, magical scenes inside the stadium.
