Sportsmail’s resident Kopite on sitting with Liverpool fans for historic win over Barcelona 

Anfield is famous for its special European nights and Liverpool’s stunning 4-0 victory over Barcelona on Tuesday was another match added to the list.

Jurgen Klopp’s side had to overturn a 3-0 deficit from the first leg and they did just that thanks to braces from Gini Wijnaldum and Divock Origi.

Sportsmail’s Max Winters witnessed the incredible night and described what it was like to be there. 

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Jurgen Klopp’s side had to overturn a 3-0 deficit from the first leg and they did just that

There was almost a resignation that their European journey would end on Tuesday night

Like Jurgen Klopp had suggested before kick-off, there was a sense around Anfield on Tuesday night that Liverpool were facing a task that was just too tough to overcome. The pre-match chaos that has become routine before big games had subsided and there was almost a resignation that their European journey would end at the hands of Lionel Messi and Barcelona.

Apart from a small pocket of fans that let off fireworks on the Anfield Road, nobody thought a team without Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino were about to produce what they did.

Much is made of the atmosphere on momentous European nights at Anfield but it most certainly exists, there can be no doubt about that. Barcelona were stood in a huddle after finishing their warm-up and players must have been lip reading to understand what was being said through the wall of noise that was beginning to grow.

‘There is one thing everyone inside Anfield knows, including our opponents. This Liverpool never stops. This Liverpool never quits. This Liverpool gives everything at all times. Whatever happens this Liverpool leaves it all on the pitch and nothing left for regrets. We don’t do “If only”.’

That was Jurgen Klopp’s message in his programme notes and it seemed to resonate throughout the stadium as kick-off approached. The Champions League anthem was drowned out by ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ and every touch from a man in fluorescent yellow was greeted with whistles and boos.

Sportsmail’s Max Winters witnessed the incredible night unfold at Anfield

Nobody thought a team without Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino would be able to win

It is a cliché when you’re trying to overturn a deficit that you have to score early but you felt if Liverpool could grab one inside the first 10 minutes then Barcelona could wobble, especially after what happened to them in Rome last season.

Divock Origi is fast becoming an Anfield hero and his opener was the spark the home fans needed to believe in a miracle. The energy from Jordan Henderson, Fabinho and James Milner in midfield was reverberating around the ground but, with few clear chances crated, at half-time there was still doubt.

Andy Robertson’s withdrawal through injury during the break also seemed to stack the deck against Liverpool but what a stroke of fortune Gini Wijnaldum’s introduction turned out to be.

Liverpool’s three goals in nine minutes against Manchester City last season were special but, given the occasion, the Dutchman’s quick-fire brace was on another level. His second in particular was mesmeric. Time seemed to stand still as he leapt off the ground to meet Xherdan Shaqiri’s cross and bury a header into the back of the net.

Divock Origi (right) celebrates with Xherdan Shaqiri (left) after scoring Liverpool’s fourth

Anfield exploded like I had never witnessed before. Liverpool were back in the tie inside 56 minutes and there was pandemonium in the stands. People were hugging strangers, screaming into faces that were unknown to them as unbridled joy took hold.

Things were about to get better though. When Trent Alexander-Arnold won THAT corner in front of the Kop, I’ll admit I had turned away like the Barcelona defence while Shaqiri ran over to take it.

But when the local lad picked out Origi at the near post and the Belgian finished with remarkable composure delight turned to disbelief in the stands. There were people with their hands on their head trying to work out what was unfolding down below. What had seemed impossible a few hours earlier was now reality.

Anfield has seen some European miracles over the years from Steven Gerrard’s heroics against Olympiacos to Luis Garcia’s ‘Ghost Goal’ that saw off Chelsea in 2005. But, with Klopp and his players stood side-by-side singing ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ in front of the Kop, it felt like that had just topped the lot.

Georginio Wijnaldum celebrates scoring Liverpool’s third goal to bring them level in the tie