Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona (4-3 agg): Reaction as Reds reach Champions League final

We look at how the world of sport reacted to another historic night at Anfield...

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Jurgen Klopp

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was almost lost for words as he tried to express his feelings.

He told BT Sport: "The whole game. The whole performance was too much. It was overwhelming. I watched in my life so many football games but I can't remember many like this.

"Winning is already difficult but winning with a clean sheet I don't know how the boys did it.

"I saw James Milner crying after the game on the pitch, it means so much to all of us. There are more important things in the world but creating this kind of atmosphere is so special."

Klopp also swore during his interview and said he might be fined because of it. But, in the heat of the moment we can probably forgive him that slip-up!

He said: "It's 10 past 10, most of your children are probably in bed but these boys are f*****g talented giants. It's unbelievable."

"Fine me if you want. I'm not native so I don't have better words for it."

Ernesto Valverde

Shell-shocked head coach Ernesto Valverde admits Barcelona were "rolled over" and "blown away" by Liverpool in an extraordinary semi-final.

Only four times in Champions League history has a side overturned a first-leg deficit of three goals or more to progress from a knockout tie.

Barca were on the wrong end of one of those spectacular comebacks at Roma last year and tasted another shock defeat at Anfield on Tuesday.

"It's happened again," head coach Valverde said.

"It happened last year.

"It's true that it has been different games, the first leg and second leg.

"They started really well, and they pinned us back. Early goal, we reacted well after that.

"We managed to control things a little bit in the second half of the first half. We had half chances to score.

"I think that we conceded two goals and then they really kind of got on top of us after those two quick concessions.

"We haven't managed to get on the scoresheet tonight. They scored two in two and they kind of us rolled us over, really.

"They have been really strong, they played really well. We've got to congratulate them on the performance they put up in the tie as a whole.

"It is a terrible result for our fans and for ourselves. We didn't expect a situation like this. This is what has happened to us.

"It is really, really unfortunate but credit is due to Liverpool."

Jose Mourinho

Praise for Klopp:

Georginio Wijnaldum

Goalscorer Wijnaldum took out his frustration on Barcelona after starting on the bench as his second-half brace helped Liverpool to a stunning Champions League semi-final comeback at Anfield.

The midfielder scored twice in the space of three minutes shortly before the hour to make it 3-0 on the night and 3-3 on aggregate before Divock Origi's second of the night in the 79th minute sent Liverpool into the Champions League final.

"Unbelievable," Wijnaldum told BT Sport.

"After the game in Spain, we were confident we could score four at home.

"Once again we showed that everything is possible in football. I was really angry at the manager that he put me on the bench but I had to do something to help the team when I came on.

"We believe it from the start. People from outside (the club), they thought it was not possible but we still managed to do this."

Trent Alexander-Arnold

The fourth goal was the standout moment as quick-thinking from Trent Alexander-Arnold from a corner set up Origi for an easy finish.

With Barca still setting up their defence and walking back slowly, the 20-year-old right-back spotted Origi completely unmarked and played a quick low cross for the Belgian to finish.

"I think it was just instinctive," Alexander-Arnold said.

"It was one of those moments where you see the opportunity."

Divock Origi

Origi paid tribute to his team-mates and also the fans who created the atmosphere on which Liverpool thrived.

He said: "I think it was more about the team. We fought so hard. We fought until the end. It shows we have a good mix of talent and hard work."

Asked to comment on the passion shown by the fans, he added: "It's just special, you can feel it, you can hear it."

Jordan Henderson

"I don't think many people gave us a chance. We knew that it would be difficult but it was still possible for us.

"The belief we've got in the changing room. At Anfield, we knew we could put on something special.

"We wanted to start fast, we got an early goal which helped. We knew that if we gave everything, showed a bit of personality, a bit of heart (we could win)."

Michael Owen

Robbie Fowler

"You know when you talk about the great nights, this is the best ever. It's absolutely incredible."

Fowler added: "Before the game, we were talking about all the superlatives we can about (Lionel) Messi. We can run out of superlatives for Liverpool.

"(It was) deserved as well and that's the best thing about it.

"I'm so proud and so delighted to be part of Liverpool. Everything about Liverpool tonight was brilliant."

Rio Ferdinand

"You cannot fail to have respect for this stadium when you come here.

"The emotions that this place evokes on nights like these, there hasn't been a better night than this.

"They took it out of Barcelona's hands - the spirit, the heart shown by this squad, and that all starts from the top. That starts from Klopp.

"What they've produced here is breathtaking and you can do nothing but respect the team, the management, and the way this club have conducted themselves, especially on a night like tonight."

Luis Garcia

Former Liverpool player Luis Garcia posted: "I have seen this move too!!" referring to his own part in the Reds' comeback against AC Milan in 2005, when they came from three down to win the final on penalties.

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