Liverpool 4-3 Borussia Dortmund (5-4 agg): Dejan Lovren goal secures semi-final place
Dejan Lovren scored a dramatic injury-time winner as Liverpool staged a stunning comeback to beat Borussia Dortmund 5-4 on aggregate and reach the semi-finals of the Europa League.
With the tie finely poised following a 1-1 draw in Germany last week, Dortmund made a blistering start at Anfield on Thursday night, with goals inside the opening 10 minutes from Henrik Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Liverpool replied early in the second half through Divock Origi, only for Marco Reus to dampen hopes of a comeback with Dortmund’s third in the 57th minute.
But the Reds set up a grandstand finish as Philippe Coutinho and Mamadou Sakho both scored to make it 4-4 on aggregate with 12 minutes remaining.
Jurgen Klopp’s side pressed for a winner and were rewarded in the first minute of injury-time as Lovren rose highest to head home James Milner’s cross and spark wild celebrations.
Liverpool will now look ahead to the draw for the semi-finals on Friday after one of the most memorable European wins in the club’s history.
Roberto Firmino returned from injury for the Reds to play behind Origi, while Dortmund recalled most of their key players after resting them at the weekend.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang gave the visitors a 3-1 aggregate lead
Dortmund head coach Thomas Tuchel had said beforehand that his side would be ‘uninhibited’, and they made the perfect start to the match.
It took them just five minutes to take the lead as Simon Mignolet saved well from Aubameyang’s close-range volley but could not keep out Mkhitaryan’s follow-up shot.
Aubameyang doubled the advantage shortly afterwards, racing onto Reus’ through ball and finishing into the top corner.
Stunned by the early setback, Liverpool were not able to muster a response until the 18th minute when Origi’s deflected shot hit the post.
Aubameyang celebrated his goal at Anfield in style
But the hosts continued to threaten as Alberto Moreno volleyed wide, Adam Lallana mis-kicked from a promising position in the area and Origi flicked a cross past the post.
Firmino then miscued a header as Liverpool pressed for a way back into the tie.
Philippe Coutinho scored Liverpool’s second goal on the night
Dortmund continued to look dangerous on the break but it was Liverpool who created the better chances before the break, Coutinho dragging a deflected shot just wide and Origi heading past the post.
Mignolet saved from Shinji Kagawa late in the half, but Liverpool gave themselves a lifeline in the 49th minute when Origi finished from Emre Can’s perfectly-weighted pass.
Reus looked to have put Dortmund back in control when he curled a shot home shortly afterwards, but Liverpool were not done and breathed life back into the tie when Coutinho fired home from the edge of the box after a one-two with Milner.
Lovren heads Liverpool’s winner in stoppage time
Sakho then drew the hosts level on aggregate when he was left free to head home from a corner in the 77th minute.
With the Kop urging them on, Liverpool pressed for a winner and it was Lovren who got it, rising highest to head home Milner’s cross and complete a sensational comeback.
Source:Skysports
