Liverpool’s Europa League campaign started on 17th September - a 1-1 draw at Bordeaux with a superb individual goal from Adam Lallana and Brendan Rodgers at the helm.
Group outsiders FC Sion came to Anfield two weeks later. It was an evening of frustration and near misses as once again Lallana was on the scoresheet in a 1-1 draw.
Rubin Kazan were next to come to Anfield on 22nd October in Jurgen Klopp’s first European game as Liverpool manager. But once again the win eluded the Reds, as Emre Can scored their only goal in yet another 1-1 draw.
Our fortunes had to change and thankfully they did when we travelled to Kazan two weeks later. Jordon Ibe’s first Liverpool goal sealed the three points in Russia.
FC Bordeaux came to Anfield on 26th November. James Milner and Christian Benteke were on the scoresheet to claim a 2-1 win that saw Liverpool go to top of the group and earn qualification for the second round of the tournament.
Two weeks later and a goalless draw at FC Sion ensured Liverpool finished top of their group and seeded for the draw for the knockout phase.
First up, German side FC Augsburg in what should have been a comfortable win. It wasn’t. After a goalless away leg, the Reds scraped through with a James Milner goal early into the second leg at Anfield.
Into the draw for the last 16 and next up was Manchester United. Struggling for form under Louis Van Gaal the visitors collapsed under the pressure from Liverpool and the Anfield faithful in the first leg. Goals from Daniel Sturridge and Roberto Firmino gave them a healthy 2-0 lead going to Old Trafford the following week.
A wonder goal from Philippe Coutinho away from home was enough to earn a 1-1 draw and dump United out of the cup.
When Liverpool drew Borussia Dortmund out of the hat in the draw for the quarterfinals there were smiles all around. Klopp would be returning to his former club for the first time since he left in 2014. It was an emotional night and a deserved 1-1 draw thanks to a first half goal from Divock Origi.
The return leg was to be even more emotional. The atmosphere was electric, the Kop in full voice and Anfield bathed in red and yellow. The game was even more special. After going 2-0 down after only nine minutes it looked like the tie was Dortmund’s for the taking. But we witnessed a second half as thrilling as Olympiakos or Istanbul. An early goal from Origi gave the Reds hope. 2-1. Marco Reus put the visitors even further ahead on 57 mins. 3-1. Then came the Red revival. Coutinho. 3-2. Sakho. 3-3. The Germans were still ahead on away goals going into added time, then up popped Dejan Lovren to claim possibly the most amazing victory at Anfield in the club’s history. 4-3!
Onto the semifinals and a draw against possibly the weakest of the three other remaining sides - Villareal - with the first leg away on 28th April. It wasn’t easy and an injury time goal for the home side saw them celebrating like they had won the cup. 1-0. We were going to have to pull it back in the second leg at home the following week.
After a rousing rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone, accompanied by a mosaic in support of the families of the 96 Hillsborough victims who won their long-running fight for justice, an early own goal brought Liverpool level on aggregate. Looking sharp and pressing hard, the Reds dominated, scoring two more goals courtesy of Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana to clinch a 3-0 victory and a place in the Europa League Final against Sevilla.
On to Basel on 18th May for the final stage of what has been an adventurous road trip for Liverpool. 90 minutes stand in the way of Jurgen Klopp’s first silverware for the club. It’s sure to be full of tension and excitement in equal measures. Bring it on!
Latest Forum Discussion