The Miracle of Anfield: Reflections and Tributes

“The whole performance and the whole game was actually too much. It was overwhelming. I actually said to the boys before the game that it would be impossible, but because it’s you, we have a chance.

“I’ve watched so many football games in my life and I cannot remember a lot like this, playing against maybe the best team in the world. Winning is already difficult, but winning with a clean sheet…I don’t know how the boys did it.

"It’s ten past ten, most of the children are probably in bed. These boys are fucking mentality giants, it’s unbelievable. It is unbelievable. Fine me, fine me if you want. I’m not native, I don’t have better words for it. It is unbelievable.”

“I saw James Milner crying after the game on the pitch, it means so much to all of us. You could see the faces in the stadium. It’s the best place for football. There are more important things in the world, but creating this atmosphere together is so special.

“It’s all about the players, though. The mix of potential and unbelievable heart is a mix I never saw before. It just show what’s possible in football.”

On Trent-Alexander Arnold's assist:

“Oh my God! We had to be serious when we had the ball but we needed to be cheeky as well, it was really necessary. Barcelona defend all the predictable things well so you need to be unpredictable in those moments. That moment, I saw the ball flying in the goal but I didn’t see the corner—Ben Woodburn looked at me and said, ‘what happened?’ It’s unbelievable, what a situation. It’s just a genius moment.”

"If I have to describe this club then it's a big heart and tonight it was pounding like crazy. You could hear it all over the world."

"We know this club is the mix of atmosphere, emotion, desire and football quality. Cut off one and it doesn't work."

On his match winning goal:

“Funnily enough, I had that shot a couple of times in training, I practised the shot, the side of the net from the angle. It wasn’t bouncing, it was just a ball in,”

“But I think subconsciously, when the ball came, it helped me – I had more confidence because I knew I’d practised that shot. But, of course, in 10 [attempts] the chances are you can put it over or even in the middle of the goal.

“It was a very difficult finish because my back was turned to the ball. I was still looking and in the corner of my eye I saw Trent making a movement.

“I had to readjust quickly, turn my body 180 degrees and then try to put it into the side of the net. It was a hard movement with a bouncing ball as well, but luckily it went in so I’m happy.”

“I think it was more about the team. We did so well, we fought and we knew it was going to be a special night. We wanted to also fight for the injured players.

“It’s just special. It’s hard to describe with words. You can feel it, you can hear it. Unbelievable.”

“Unbelievable. I don’t think many people gave us a chance. Before the game we knew that it would be difficult but it was still possible of course,”

“It’s amazing. We knew that at Anfield we could do something special. It’s a special night ... they’re a fantastic team but we knew if we showed heart we had a chance to get something.”

"It was an amazing night. It was a special night that people will be talking about for a long time."

"It's unbelievable. After the game in Spain we were confident that we could score four at home and win 4-0. I think the people from outside doubted us and thought that we couldn't do it, but once again we showed that anything is possible."

"[I'm] really emotional, because I was really angry at the manager that he put me on the bench. I had to do something and when I came on I just tried to help the team. I'm happy I could help the team with two goals and overall it was a good team performance."

On the cheeky corner kick that he took which led to the fourth and decisive goal:

“I think it was just instinctive. It was just one of those moments where you see the opportunity and obviously Div was switched on to finish it off."

“It probably came at him a bit fast but he’s a top player, scored two goals for us tonight and I think it’s one of them where everyone will remember this moment.”

"I do not know how it's going to affect me. Here we are, the coach has to take responsibility,"

"It's very painful for us, especially for our people, it's the second year they've come back like that,"

"Things got on top of us after those two quick goals [from Wijnaldum]. We didn't manage to get on the scoresheet and they rolled us over really,"

"They surprised us with the fourth goal - presumably my players weren't looking. Liverpool were street smart and they scored."

"It's a terrible result for our fans and for ourselves. It's really, really unfortunate, but credit to Liverpool. We tried to sit a little bit deeper, but the tie ended for us with the fourth goal. We couldn't respond."

“We are very sad, hurt. We are human beings, we feel the pain, the frustration. We have to put our chest out for the bullets that will come now. It cannot be that in a minute we concede two goals. [For] the fourth goal we looked like schoolboys. We have to understand all the criticism that is going to rain on us.”

Suarez defended his manager after the game:

"We are the ones that played the game. The boss used the same tactics as in the first leg and he tried to do the same thing here. You have to say sorry for the attitude and the things that everyone saw today."

"We have to do a lot of self-criticism because this is the second time that the same thing has happened to us. We cannot commit the same mistake two years in a row. There are many things we need to consider and think about."

‘They were better than us. They went after the game from the first minute. We had chances to score the goal we needed but it was not to be. I can’t say anything more.’

‘I just want to say sorry to the supporters. After Roma we didn’t want this to happen again. If you don’t press against a team like this and you don’t take your chances then you’re in trouble. It’s hard to say anything else. We are sorry to our fans.’

"We have to be grateful to the fans. It seems that we're not living in this world at times but we are. We know how fans are feeling but their behaviour has been spectacular. They showed their disappointment at first, but after that they were 10 out of 10. We're all pissed off, but we have to keep going. There's nothing else for it."

"We knew we had to play today, but it was really difficult for everyone. We wanted to be at 100 per cent but it was a struggle because of what happened [at Liverpool]."

"We have to keep going and we have to focus on the Copa del Rey final. Hopefully the wound which the club, the players and the fans have will heal. The challenge ahead isn’t a small one, either. The double's no small thing but the wound from Liverpool is deep. We have to keep going and hopefully those that are injured recover quickly."

“It’s another blow. We had one last year against Roma. For the second year in a row, it’s a disastrous night.”

On Liverpool's victory:

"Allow me to relax a little bit, there is going to be time to talk about Liverpool,"

"I want to congratulate Jurgen Klopp and all the players and Liverpool, because I think they were amazing.

"We enjoyed a lot watching the tie against Barcelona. They are heroes too and, of course, it is going to be an amazing final between two English teams that for sure we are going to enjoy."

On how Spurs took inspiration from Liverpool's comeback to stun Ajax in their own tie:

"We saw Liverpool last night, and it goes to show it's not over until it's over,"

"The gaffer mentioned Liverpool's display at the hotel before the match. The gaffer doesn't mind us losing but we have to lose the right way.

"We're lucky we've gone through and we look forward to the Champions League final."

Golden State Warriors coach pays homage to Jurgen Klopp when describing his team after their 104-99 victory over Houston Rockets:

"I don't know if you're a soccer fan but Liverpool came out yesterday with one of the great wins in soccer history.

"After the match, their manager Jurgen Klopp said: 'The young kids in Liverpool are probably asleep by now so I'm just going to go ahead and say it, but our boys are fucking giants.

"That's what he said. And I know how he feels. I apologise to my mom, who is probably watching, but our guys are fucking giants. That was an unbelievable victory tonight."

"In view of the amazing performance of Liverpool last night, perhaps the Prime Minister can get some tips from Jurgen Klopp on how to get a good result in Europe."

"I actually think that when we look at the Liverpool win over Barcelona last night, what it actually shows is that when everyone says it's all over, that your European opposition has got you beat, the clock's ticking down, it's time to concede defeat - actually we can still secure success if everyone comes together."

Mourinho's pre-game prediction:

'I don't gamble in football, I don't like gambling but I wouldn't bet one single coin on Liverpool playing in the final."

'Anfield can make miracles. But this would be more than that. 3-0 would be more than that.

'They are losing 3-0. Tonight is not about how to stop them. It is about how they can create and incredible situation to beat Barcelona after a 3-0 defeat. Tonight Anfield is a magic place to play, a beautiful place to play.

'Even people not in love with that club have to admit it is a magnificent club, incredible stadium and one of the best atmospheres. So when we say impossible is nothing we mean it but... it will be almost impossible.'

Post-match comments:

'I didn't expect this. I did say impossible is nothing. If it is possible, Anfield is one of the places to make the impossible possible. But I have to say, this remontada (comeback) has one name, Jurgen.

'I think this was not about tactics or philosophy but heart and soul and empathy that he created with this group of players.'