Liverpool’s relationship with inspiring European comebacks has created an air of invincibility around the club over the years, producing some iconic moments in European Cup/Champions League history.
After securing their sixth title in 2019, the Reds became the joint-third most successful side the competition has seen, level with Bayern Munich.
Bob Paisley, Joe Fagan, Rafael Benitez and Jurgen Klopp have all lifted the famous trophy as Liverpool boss with the latter two relying on some of the biggest ever fightbacks to secure glory.
As Klopp’s charges head to Real Madrid this week, they will need to overcome a three-goal first-leg deficit, and the former Borussia Dortmund coach will be hoping for another famous night.
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Biggest Liverpool European comebacks
Despite their regular role in major European finals in the 1970s and 1980s, Liverpool’s knack of incredible comebacks is a modern phenomenon, with the Champions League kicking off a defining era.
2005: The miracle of Istanbul
The 2005 final in Istanbul was the defining moment of Bentiez’s tenure, as the Spaniard masterminded a gritty run to the final up against Carlo Ancelotti’s AC Milan.
The first 45 minutes of the final followed the expected script, as Hernan Crespo and Kaka inspired the Serie A giants into a 3-0 halftime lead.
However, the second-half rally was a key chapter in Liverpool folklore as Steven Gerrard led the revival to send the match to a penalty shootout, and the unlikely hero of Jerzy Dudek secured a first title for the club since the competition became the Champions League in 1992.
⏪ 2005: THAT Liverpool comeback against AC Milan in in Istanbul… @LFC | #UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/yHm3QtTGTH
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) August 26, 2021
That triggered a string of second-leg fightbacks from Liverpool in the following years. Benitez’s side bounced back from a 1-0 semifinal first-leg loss to Chelsea in 2007 to win the return fixture 1-0, and progress to the final on penalties.
On this day in 2007, Liverpool booked their place in the Champions League final by beating Chelsea 4-1 on penalties, with Dirk Kuyt scoring the decisive spot kick at Anfield.
Another final this year Reds! 🔴
— Anfield Edition (@AnfieldEdition) May 1, 2019
2016: Dortmund and Villarreal vanquished
Klopp’s arrival in 2015 developed a renewed sense of his side not surrendering in defeat. Their march to the 2016 Europa League final included beating Villarreal 3-0 in the semifinal second leg after a 1-0 loss in the first game, all after the second leg of their quarterfinal with Dortmund saw them recover from 2-0 and 3-1 deficits to progress.
A 𝗕𝗜𝗚 Anfield comeback 🤩
Four years ago today, the Reds secured a place in the final… ✨✨ pic.twitter.com/2qydxVUjwE
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 5, 2020
But, as Klopp steered Liverpool back into the Champions League reckoning, his side produced their biggest ever European comeback against Barcelona in 2019.
2019: Messi misery at Anfield
Only Ajax in 1967 had secured a bigger winning margin over Liverpool in a European Cup knockout game than Barcelona’s 3-0 Camp Nou first-leg semifinal victory, inspired by Lionel Messi.
However, despite the odds being stacked against them, Liverpool ruthlessly exposed Barcelona’s complacency at Anfield, as Divock Origi sealed a famous 4-0 win. They would go on to defeat Premier League rivals Tottenham in the final in Madrid.
Corner taken quickly…👀
𝐔 𝐍 𝐁 𝐄 𝐋 𝐈 𝐄 𝐕 𝐀 𝐁 𝐋 𝐄 😱 pic.twitter.com/RJuxiLn9S6
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 26, 2021
A repeat of such a turnaround against Real Madrid could go down as even better than the famous night against Barcelona.
Liverpool Champions League record
Liverpool benefitted from the extension of Premier League places in the Champions League from 2000 onwards with Gerard Houllier, Bentiez, Brendan Rodgers and Klopp all leading them in the competition.
| Season | Stage Reached | Knocked out by | Manager |
| 2001/02 | Quarterfinal | Bayer Leverkusen | Gerard Houllier |
| 2002/03 | Group Stage | Valencia, Basel | Gerard Houllier |
| 2004/05 | Winners | N/A | Rafa Benitez |
| 2005/06 | Round of 16 | Benfica | Rafa Benitez |
| 2006/07 | Runners Up | AC Milan | Rafa Benitez |
| 2007/08 | Semifinal | Chelsea | Rafa Benitez |
| 2008/09 | Quarterfinal | Chelsea | Rafa Benitez |
| 2009/10 | Group Stage | Fiorentina, Lyon | Rafa Benitez |
| 2014/15 | Group Stage | Real Madrid, Basel | Brendan Rodgers |
| 2017/18 | Runners Up | Real Madrid | Jurgen Klopp |
| 2018/19 | Winners | N/A | Jurgen Klopp |
| 2019/20 | Round of 16 | Atletico Madrid | Jurgen Klopp |
| 2020/21 | Quarterfinal | Real Madrid | Jurgen Klopp |
| 2021/22 | Runners Up | Real Madrid | Jurgen Klopp |
