Andrew Robertson has revealed how Jurgen Klopp inspired Liverpool before their extraordinary Champions League comeback against Barcelona, insisting the players were completely focused despite the scale of the task.
Barcelona arrived at Anfield with a 3-0 advantage from the first leg at Camp Nou. However, Liverpool produced one of the most memorable results in Champions League history by winning 4-0 and completing an unlikely turnaround.
Divock Origi and Georginio Wijnaldum scored the goals that night as Liverpool became only the third team to overturn a three-goal deficit in a European Cup semi-final. Panathinaikos had achieved the feat in 1971, while Barcelona themselves had done so in 1986.
Robertson, who was part of the Liverpool side, has now described the atmosphere inside the dressing room before the second leg and recalled the message delivered by Klopp.
“Before the game Jurgen Klopp was sitting in front of us and gave us a speech, he said: ‘Nobody gives us a chance. No normal person gives us a chance. But I am sitting here in front of you and I am giving you EVERY CHANCE in the world and I am telling you right now that this will be the most special night of your life.’”
The Scotland international said the players created an intense atmosphere as they prepared for what appeared to be an almost impossible challenge.
“The changing room before the game was genuinely the LOUDEST I have EVER experienced in my entire life, everyone was just LASER-FOCUSED, everyone was READY, we felt we could make it happen and we got the BEST start with the early goal.”
Liverpool’s task was made even more difficult by the absence of Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino, who both missed the match through injury.
Salah watched from the sidelines wearing a shirt bearing the words “NEVER GIVE UP”, as Liverpool went on to complete the comeback without two of their key attacking players.
The victory secured Liverpool’s place in the Champions League final, adding to the significance of a night that has since become one of the defining moments in the club’s history.
Robertson now plays for Tottenham Hotspur, who have endured a difficult start to the season. Spurs are bottom of the league and are also without the European nights that Robertson will miss.