LIVERPOOL striker Divock Origi revealed what manager Jurgen Klopp had told his men in his half-time address ahead of their stunning fightback against Borussia Dortmund to earn a place in the Europa League semi-finals.
The Reds scored four second-half goals as they fought back from 2-0 and 3-1 down in the second leg of their last eight tie to win 4-3 and prevail 5-4 on aggregate against Klopp’s former side.
Origi said: “We were 2-0 down at half-time – and the coach said we had to create the moment to tell our grandchildren and make it a special night for the fans. And we believed in it.
“When we scored the first goal – we all felt it was going to be a special moment.”
Klopp revealed Liverpool evoked the spirit of Istanbul on a memorable night at Anfield.
The Reds were cut apart in the early stages as they conceded twice in the opening nine minutes but their revival echoed their famous Champions League fightback against AC Milan in the 2005 final.
Klopp said: ‘‘I told the lads, ’I was not there but a few older Liverpool players, most of them now experts on television, were 3-0 down at half-time and won a Champions League final. So, even though it is not likely, it is possible. We should try it’. And they did.
‘‘We scored and everyone could see something happening in the stadium. You could see it, hear it, smell it. Then a brilliant attacking situation – Dortmund 3-1.
‘‘Then really that is the moment in football and life when you have to show character and that’s what the lads did, and it was pretty cool to watch.’’
Will Liverpool now go on to win the Europa League this season?
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