Liverpool need to produce some Anfield magic tonight if they are to get past PSG in the Champions League, essentially repeating a trick from ten years ago.
Paris Saint-Germain arrive on Merseyside as the reigning European champions and with a 2-0 lead from the first leg, after goals from Désiré Doué and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia put them in control in Paris last week. With Liverpool out of the FA Cup and their title defence long gone, this tie feels like the only route to salvaging something from the season.
To do that, Liverpool need to tap back into one of Anfield’s great European nights. Ten years ago to the day, Jurgen Klopp’s side came from the brink against Borussia Dortmund in a wild 4-3 win that remains one of the stadium’s defining modern comebacks.
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The parallels are not exact, but they are close enough to make the memory relevant. Against PSG, Liverpool begin the second leg two goals down and needing something special.
Against Dortmund in April 2016, Klopp’s team were in serious trouble almost immediately, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan scoring after five minutes and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang adding another four minutes later.
From 1-1 after the first leg, Liverpool suddenly found themselves 3-1 down on aggregate before the tie had really settled.
Divock Origi gave Liverpool hope early in the second half, only for Marco Reus to restore Dortmund’s cushion and leave the home side needing three more goals to go through.
Philippe Coutinho then pulled one back, Mamadou Sakho made it 3-3 on the night, and with extra time looming Dejan Lovren headed in the winner in stoppage time to seal a 5-4 aggregate victory.
Liverpool were not simply good that night — they were resilient enough to keep going when the task appeared to have become too big. It’s a perfect example for Arne Slot to draw on, even if PSG make the margin even bigger.
They were also facing elite opposition. Thomas Tuchel’s Dortmund arrived at Anfield with serious quality, and for long spells looked the sharper side. Yet the atmosphere, the belief and Klopp’s refusal to let the tie die combined to turn the game.
Liverpool know exactly what is required tonight — two goals just to force extra time, three to win it in 90 minutes. They also know PSG are stronger than Dortmund were, and more proven at this level, having already knocked Liverpool out on penalties last season before going on to lift the trophy.
Liverpool have been here before, though. The Dortmund comeback is a reminder that Anfield can change the tempo of a European tie in a hurry, and that games which look close to gone can still be dragged back into reach.
Do you still think Liverpool can turn the quarter-final around at Anfield?
2-0 down vs PSG, it's going to be some ask from here…
PSG are heavy favourites, and Liverpool will need far more than sentiment to overturn this one. But ten years on from Dortmund, the memory remains a useful one. Under the lights at Anfield, anything can still happen.
- READ MORE: Gary Lineker urges Arne Slot to listen to Liverpool fans and take a gamble with PSG selection
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