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What Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said to Andrew Robertson after Barcelona winner
LIVERPOOL manager Jurgen Klopp did not see the goal which sealed the side’s place in the Champions League final, and turned to Andrew Robertson to discover who scored it.
Liverpool: Klopp reacts to ‘special’ 4-0 win over Barcelona
After losing 3-0 against Barcelona at Camp Nou, Liverpool needed another momentous Anfield night to reach consecutive Champions League finals.
Even without Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino, the Reds began their comeback in the opening stages with stand-in forward Divock Origi poking home his first of the night before half-time substitute Georginio Wijnaldum bagged a brace soon after the interval.
It was Robertson who the Dutch midfielder replaced, following a naughty challenge from Luiz Suarez.
Robertson was receiving treatment in the dressing room as two echoing roars spoiled the surprise on the delayed TV he was watching. After a quick shower, he returned to the bench alongside Klopp et al with the score at 3-0.
I remember with the fourth goal, the gaffer turned round to me and asked who’d scored
Recounting the day to BBC Radio 5 live, the Scotland captain said: “I was out on the bench from about 60-65 [minutes] onwards.
“I remember with the fourth goal, the gaffer turned round to me and asked who’d scored, because he was turning around to speak to his assistant manager.
“Trent [Alexander-Arnold] did us all with his quick thinking but luckily I saw Divock put it in the back of the net.
“I was looking at Trent, but I think I was more looking at him [because] somebody was trying to say to Shaqiri to take it and Trent to get back.
“I was making sure Trent was trying to get back! And then I saw him step up to the ball and I was thinking: ‘What’s he doing?’
“Luckily the two of them just connected. It was a special moment and a special goal that will be remembered for a long time.”
Alexander-Arnold’s kidology was aided by the teenage ballboy who quickly presented the full-back with a ball to whip in while the Barcelona defence was organising itself.
Origi’s alertness to the situation allowed the Frenchman to sweep home, marking a remarkable comeback against the favourites for the competition.
Liverpool: Klopp's side train ahead of Champions League final
“I didn’t know how to react, everyone didn’t know how to,” Robertson added.
“We thought it was a perfectly good goal, but we thought maybe something was wrong because it was just that quick.
“The Barcelona players were stunned as we all were and everyone hesitated to realise that was the goal to put us through.”