Ten pivotal moments in Liverpool’s 2018/19 season (part two)

Part two in our countdown of the 10 pivotal moments in Liverpool’s 2018/19 season includes some stunning fightbacks, super subs and calamitous mistakes that shaped the course of our campaign, at home and abroad. You can read part one here.

Here are the remaining five key moments in Liverpool’s 2018/19 season.

6. Super-sub Shaqiri takes down the Red Devils

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A 24th-minute Sadio Mane goal against Manchester United on December 16 was cancelled out by Jesse Lingard less than ten minutes later, with Jose Mourinho’s side doing their level-best to throw a spanner in the works in the Reds’ title-challenging machine. However, just three minutes after coming on for Naby Keita, Xherdan Shaqiri pounced to send Jurgen Klopp’s side back in front, with the little Swiss winger adding a second not long afterwards to guarantee the three points for the Reds.

7. A very late own-goal

Liverpool were barrelling towards a disappointing draw with Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on March 31 that would have seen them lose ground in the title race when some late drama handed Klopp’s side all three points. Roberto Firmino’s opener had been cancelled out in the 70th minute by Lucas Moura, with Spurs pushing for a winner (and almost getting one, if not for some intelligent defending by Virgil van Dijk) when Mohamed Salah’s headed effort was spilled by Hugo Lloris against the leg of Toby Alderweireld, who inadvertently put the ball into his own net in the 90th minute. Cue hysteria at Anfield.

8. Sturridge stunner

In a similar scenario earlier in the season, the Reds were this time heading for defeat at Stamford Bridge when a moment of magic saw them snatch a point at the death and maintain their unbeaten start to the season. In the 89th minute, Daniel Sturridge curled a sumptuous effort from 20 yards out that nestled, un-saveable, in the top corner. A goal from nothing. It was Sturridge’s most significant contribution in the campaign, but boy was it a good one.

9. Barcelona fightback

After a devastating Champions League semi-final first leg at the Nou Camp, Liverpool looked dead and buried at 3-0 down on aggregate going into their home tie on May 7, with nothing short of an Istanbul-level miracle required to see them progress to the final.

Step forward Gini Wijnaldum.

The Dutchman came off the bench at half-time and bagged a stunning brace to add to Divock Origi’s early goal, before a moment of pure inspiration from Trent-Alexander-Arnold saw Origi slam home the winner from a quickly-taken corner that caught Barcelona napping. It was the game that effectively won Liverpool the Champions League and created one of the most memorable European nights in Anfield history.

10. Early handball in the Champions League final

Finally, a decisive moment that irrevocably changed a crucial game. Less than thirty seconds into the Champions League final in Madrid on June 1, Tottenham’s Moussa Sissoko handed the ball in the box to gift Liverpool an early penalty, which Mo Salah duly dispatched. However, the Reds went on to produce arguably their least-fluid performance of the season as Spurs relentlessly battered at the door, which Alisson Becker kept firmly shut all night. Then, in the 88th minute, that man Origi struck again to break Tottenham hearts and seal the win for Jurgen Klopp’s side. Liverpool went on to lift the European Cup for the sixth time and reclaim their place at the pinnacle of club football.

That’s it – our top ten key points in Liverpool’s 2018/19 campaign.

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Source: anfieldhq.com