Liverpool ball boys given video presentation ahead of incredible comeback as they helped overcome Barcelona on stunning night at Anfield
- Liverpool ball boys were given a video presentation ahead of their stunning win
- Oakley Cannonnier, 14, was quick to react for the Reds fourth goal at Anfield
- He threw a replacement ball to Alexander-Arnold who quickly took the corner
- Divock Origi then scored the famous goal to cap off a incredible night in Europe
Liverpool’s plan to beat Barcelona was so meticulous that the ball boys were given a video presentation on how they could help Jurgen Klopp’s team.
In the build-up to the fourth goal, Oakley Cannonnier — a 14-year-old from Leeds who plays for one of Liverpool’s youth teams — threw a replacement ball he was already holding straight to Trent Alexander-Arnold to allow him to take the quick corner that enabled Divock Origi to score.
This had nothing to do with fortune. On Monday, ball boys were shown footage of the quarter-final against Porto and the areas in which they could improve were highlighted.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was one of the heroes in Liverpool’s huge 4-0 win on Tuesday
Liverpool fans have been quick to praise ballboy Oakley Cannonier for his role in Tuesday’s win
The youngster was alert to the ball going out of play and threw a new one to Alexander-Arnold
Carl Lancaster, a coaching mentor at the academy, told them to return balls to Liverpool’s players quickly.
Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool’s manager, had noticed how much Barcelona’s players had argued or contested every decision in the first leg, which they won 3-0, and looked to see where Liverpool could make marginal gains. The outcome was remarkable.
Liverpool are now favourites to lift the European Cup for the sixth time in their history and their comeback left Barcelona captain Lionel Messi in tears.
Cannonier, who is originally from Leeds, was praised by Liverpool fans for his quick thinking
Cannonier poses with Alexander-Arnold, the player who he threw the ball to on Tuesday night
He was inconsolable as he left Anfield, and Luis Suarez said they had to ‘put their chests out to take the bullets’ of criticism.
Origi, whose goals bookended the game, has come in from the shadows to play a huge role in the season and his confidence is up after scoring the late goal against Newcastle that enabled Liverpool to take the race for the Premier League to the final day.
The Belgian, who Liverpool signed for £10million in July 2014, is entering the final 12 months of his contract but Michael Edwards, the club’s sporting director, will meet Origi’s representatives in the summer to discuss a new deal.
Divock Origi, who scored a brace in the stunning win, is set to discuss a new deal with the Reds
Divock Origi (right) celebrates with Xherdan Shaqiri (left) after scoring Liverpool’s fourth
Wolves wanted to sign Origi in January and there was also interest from Watford, but he decided to stay after Liverpool sold Dominic Solanke to Bournemouth.
Klopp has been thrilled with the 24-year-old’s attitude. It is likely he will keep his place against Wolves on Sunday.
Liverpool have nothing to lose at the weekend and Xherdan Shaqiri said: ‘If you believe in life, anything and everything can happen.’
Two identical Premier League trophies will be at Brighton, who host leaders Manchester City, and Liverpool on Sunday to cover both possible title winners.