Liverpool rally to foil Man City comeback and reach last four
Manchester City 1, Liverpool 2
(Liverpool win 5-1 on aggregate)
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp saluted his teams less celebrated fighting qualities after they scuppered a Manchester City comeback to reach their first Champions League semi-final for a decade.
City shook the visitors with a goal after 117 seconds from Gabriel Jesus and believed they had added a second before half-time – prompting a row that saw manager Pep Guardiola sent to the stands.
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But a more assertive Liverpool capitalised on their reprieve when Mohamed Salah levelled on the night, leaving City needing five goals to progress, and Roberto Firmino pilfered a winner 13 minutes from time.
“I have nothing to criticise because I knew it would be difficult and we still did it – and thats fantastic,” said Klopp.
“Its not about perfection. Its about the result – the character, the mentality, the attitude – and we created that again, really fighting for the result. I love that. It was well defended and not our best football game but deserved, in the end. Im really happy.”
Defeat was Premier League champions-elect Citys third inside seven days and left Guardiola nursing a grievance with Spanish referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz, who disallowed a Leroy Sane goal three minutes before half-time.
City boss Guardiola was sent to the stands for arguing with the referee (Source: Getty)
“Well be back stronger next season in this competition,” he said. “In this competition you have to make it perfect and the decisions have to be good.”
Of his half-time red card, Guardiola added: “I said it was goal. I didnt insult him; I was polite. But Mateu Lahoz is a special guy. He likes to be different, he likes to be special.”
Liverpool had not reached the last four since 2008, when they lost to Chelsea, and their chances looked in doubt when Raheem Sterling squared for Jesus to slot past Loris Karius inside two minutes.
Jesus gave City the perfect start when he scored after 117 seconds (Source: Getty)
Citys anticipated onslaught never quite materialised, however, with two speculative Berardo Silva shots – the second of which hit a post – the closest they came to another goal until Sanes disallowed finish.
The Germany winger was flagged offside when he tapped in from close range, although replays showed that the ball had ricocheted his way off Liverpools James Milner – not a City player.
Salah's 39th goal of the season all but ensured Liverpool's progress (Source: Getty)
Salahs 39th goal of the season, a cool dink over a prone Nicolas Otamendi after Karius had smothered Sadio Manes effort, swung the tie 11 minutes after the interval.
Firmino applied the fatal blow when he intercepted Otamendis sloppy pass, advanced on Karius and placed a low shot in off the far post.
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