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Six of the best Champions League nights at Anfield

Champions League matches under the floodlights of Anfield. There aren’t many better experiences in football. While almost all European nights at the home of Liverpool are special occasions, some still manage to stand out more than others.

Here are six of the best Champions League games to be played at the famous old stadium.

Liverpool 5-2 Roma – 2018

Having been handed the easier of potential opponents, Liverpool knew they had an excellent chance of reaching their first Champions League final since 2007. However, despite avoiding the likes of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in the draw, and having knocked Manchester City out in the previous round, there was trepidation among fans after Roma had completed a stunning comeback against Barcelona in the previous round.

Those nerves were soon put to bed though as Jurgen Klopp’s men opened up a sensational 5-0 lead. Despite that, it seems strange that some Liverpool supporters will have walked away from Anfield with a tinge of disappointment and regret. The Reds conceded two late goals which meant that there was still plenty to play for in the Stadio Olimpico…

Liverpool 4-0 Real Madrid – 2009

While it may not have been the greatest side Real Madrid have ever had in their history, Real Madrid are still Real Madrid, and their 2009 side still boasted world-class players such as Casillas, Ramos, Cannavaro, Robben, Sneijder and Raul.

However, it was another Spaniard in the shape of Fernando Torres who stole the show with an excellent performance and a goal to open the scoring. A brace from Steven Gerrard and a fourth from substitute Andrea Dossena sealed Liverpool’s progress to the quarter-finals on another famous night.

Liverpool 3-1 Olympiakos – 2005

Without Gerrard’s famous strike in this game, Liverpool’s run to the Istanbul final could never have happened.

Liverpool found themselves 1-0 down in a must-win final group stage game, needing to score three goals to qualify for the knockout rounds. Florent Sinama Pongolle and Neil Mellor gave the Reds hope before Captain Steven Gerrard scored that goal to ensure the Reds’ progression.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Liverpool 3-0 Manchester City – 2018

With Manchester City running away with the Premier League, Pep Guardiola’s men went into the tie as favourites to progress to the last four. However, despite being the underdogs, Liverpool were the only domestic team who had beaten City that season, giving them cause for positivity.

What came next though was an attacking masterclass, and a raucous Anfield crowd urged their side on to an impressive 3-0 victory. While City were unlucky with a few of the refereeing decisions on the night, the result was certainly deserved, and they were able to follow it up with a 2-1 win at the Etihad.

Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea – 2005

Another Champions League knockout game against the runaway winners of the Premier League, this time however it was Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea.

While it wasn’t a high scoring game, it had everything you would want from a Champions League semi-final. There was tension, drama, controversy, and a place in the final at stake.

For the Reds, Luis Garcia’s ‘ghost goal’ was enough to send them through to the Istanbul final….and we all know what happened there!

See also: Five of the best players to play for Liverpool and Chelsea

Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona –  2019

Losing 3-0 in the Nou Camp the week before, very few would have expected Liverpool to be booking their place in the 2019 final, with Jurgen Klopp’s side needing to score at least four, as well as keeping Lionel Messi and co. off the scoresheet.

Their task was made even harder with Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino missing the game, but they got the perfect start when Divock Origi pouncing on a parry from Marc-Andre Ter Stegen.

Two goals in three second-half minutes from substitute Gini Wijnaldum gave the hosts hope, before a superbly cheeky corner routine saw Origi net his second and send Anfield into raptures, with the Reds going on to claim their sixth European crown against Spurs in the Madrid finale.

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