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[Date: 11/03/2020, Anfield, Liverpool, Attendance: 55,000]
[UEFA Champions League, Round of 16 – 2nd leg | Aggregate: Liverpool 2–3 Leverkusen]
The floodlights of Anfield cut through the Merseyside drizzle like divine beacons, casting a glow on the heaving crowd of 55,000 brimming with anticipation. Red scarves fluttered like banners of war, and "You'll Never Walk Alone" rolled across the stadium in a deafening, almost sacred, chorus.
They had been singing for half an hour, trying to intimidate the visitors and boost their team's morale. The entire Kop swayed in unison, a red wall of defiance daring Leverkusen to survive the night.
"Peter, I don't think I've ever seen a European night ," Clive Tyldesley began as the camera zoomed in on the players in the tunnel. "There's an edge in the air, and it's not just down to the scoreline. There's been talk all week… will this be the last game we see in front of fans for some time?"
"Clive, it's surreal," Peter Drury responded, his voice tinged with unease. "The spectacle, the noise, the colour—it's classic Anfield. And yet, the safety concerns about whether the match should even be played remain a big debate. COVID-19, as it has been dubbed, has already suspended Serie A. Spain's La Liga is considering following suit. Who's to say UEFA doesn't press pause next?"
Clive nodded in agreement with a light sigh. "It's hard to imagine football without the crowd, Peter. But tonight… tonight we play."
Their words were quickly swallowed by the roar of the crowd as the Champions League anthem rang out across the stadium. The players emerged from the tunnel to a wave of camera flashes and chants. Songs were sung, hands were shaken, flags were exchanged, and a coin was tossed.
Liverpool would attack from left to right, shooting towards the goal in front of the Kop stand. Jordan Henderson knew exactly what he was doing when he chose to forgo the kickoff when he won the coin toss. In the home coaching area, Jurgen Klopp could be seen animatedly clapping his hands as he gave final instructions.
66 RB T. Alexander-Arnold
15 CM A. Oxlade-Chamberlain
Leverkusen XI: 4-2-3-1
GK: 1 Lukas Hardeckey
CDM: 15 Baumgartlinger
At 8 pm sharp, referee Danny Makkelie punctually blew his whistle, signalling the start of the match as Volland knocked the ball back. He knocked the ball back to Exequiel Palacios, and the tie was underway. The Anfield roar hadn't softened a decibel, even as the ball zipped across the slick surface.
From the first pass, it was clear Liverpool had no intentions of easing into the game. "Leverkusen have the advantage, but they won't be naïve enough to think they can play passively," Peter Drury remarked as Henderson introduced himself to Palacios with a powerful shoulder tackle that sent the latter skidding to the ground, drawing a whistle from Makkelie within thirty seconds.
"Jurgen Klopp's men are champions of Europe, Peter. You give them half a window, and they'll blow the house down," Clive Tyldesley replied
Despite the early warning, Liverpool pressed like a pack of wolves. Firmino led the charge, flanked by Salah and Mane, forcing Leverkusen's defenders to skip the build-up and send the ball long. The crowd responded with each pass and tackle, each roar synchronised with their team's aggression.
"Intensity… that's the word, Peter. This is Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool at their best," Clive Tyldesley observed. "No need for fancy tactics, strict formations when you give your opponents no time to breathe."
"Controlled chaos is what I would best describe his philosophy as," Peter Drury echoed, "and Leverkusen have to show tonight they can hold onto their lead against the defending champions."
In the 5th minute, Diaby tried to find some space along the left flank, but just as he knocked the ball past Trent, looking to speed past, he was met with a firm, but fair shoulder barge, cutting out his momentum. Having neutralised the threat, he collected the ball and played a quick ball back to Adrian in the box.
The keeper kept it moving, sending the ball to the opposite flank to the feet of the retreating Robertson. Spinning away from Havertz's charge, the left back launched a weighted through ball that hugged the touch line like an obsessed lover. Mane latched onto it with ease, his acceleration taking him past the German right-back.
Lars spun on his toes, giving chase, but the Liverpool winger had reached the edge of the box in a matter of moments. Cutting across the chasing Defender, he nudged the ball inwards, clipping a dangerous curler to the top right corner before Tah could close him down. Lukas Hradecky reacted instinctively—launching himself to his left, arms fully outstretched.
His fingertips grazed the ball just enough to redirect it onto the outside of the post. (CLANG) The crowd gasped, then groaned, as the ball deflected out for a corner.
"Exceptional save! That was heading in, Clive!" Peter Drury's voice rang with disbelief. "Mane with a sumptuous effort, but Lukas Hradecky rises to the moment."
"Leverkusen are under siege," Clive added, the camera panning to Peter Bosz, already on the edge of his technical area, barking defensive instructions.
Alexander-Arnold's corner came in hot, homing in on Virgil's head, who rose above the masses in the box. The Dutchman met it cleanly, but his header thumped directly into Tapsoba's back, who knew little about it. The ball ricocheted straight to Firmino, who instinctively shot low. Lars Bender slid low, bringing a foot in front of the ball, deflecting it out of the box.
Diaby picked up the loose ball and immediately charged up the field, trying to dodge a cluster of red. With his low centre of gravity, he surged past one challenge, then another, as he broke through to the left flank. By then, he managed to gain some space as he crossed the halfway line, finally glancing up to look for options.
With a quick head check, Diaby spotted Volland making a central run, dragging Gomez along as they crossed the final third. Instead of sending it his way, he sent a quick pass backwards just as Trent had caught up. The defender turned to see where the ball went, only to see Palacios launch a lofted through ball over his head.
Diaby had immediately accelerated, kicking up another gear, and with Volland dragging the final line back, he remained on side. "Oh my days, he's through," Peter exclaimed as Diaby chested the ball down at the edge of the box.
Adrian, in between the sticks, seemed to be debating whether to close him down or hold his ground. Diaby wouldn't give him enough time to come up with an answer as he brought the ball under control within the box and sent a diagonal ball towards the area in front of the back post. Gomez, who had been tracking back with Volland, slid forward in a desperate attempt to intercept the ball but missed it by inches.
"Kai Havertzs!" Tyldesley declared as the German midfielder ghosted into that area a second later, putting his foot through the leather of the ball. "And the lions have drawn blood at Anfield,"
The net rippled emphatically, followed by the sight of Kai Havertz sprinting toward the away corner flag since the away supporters were on the other end. His arms stretched wide, and he roared in triumph as his teammates flooded forward, a tide of black and red embracing him amidst stunned silence from the Kop stand.
"What a devastating counterattack from Bayer Leverkusen!" Peter Drury boomed, voice filled with admiration. "The young German maestro Havertz arrives at the perfect moment and delivers a dagger right into the heart of Anfield."
Clive Tyldesley leaned closer to his microphone, echoing the moment of disbelief. "Liverpool had Leverkusen pinned back, battering their defences—but football, Peter, it can turn in a heartbeat!"
[9' GOAL! - Kai Havertz | Aggregate: Liverpool 2–4 Leverkusen]