The performance was good, the result deserved better than necessary, and the Reds reached the round of 16 of the Champions League for the third time in four years, despite their domestic season in the midst of a historic collapse.
Below, we see some of the winners and losers from another famous European night at … Empty Puskas Arena.
Winners
Fábio Henrique Tavares: Watching Fabinho kind of be a good defender for most of the season – when he wasn’t injured – maybe made some people forget how phenomenal he is as a defensive midfielder, but the man warned us all tonight.
Anchoring the midfield alongside Georginio Wijnaldum and Thiago, the Brazilian stood out, recording three tackles and four interceptions, while enthusiastically protecting the inexperienced defender behind him. It was a performance that belied how much time has passed since the former Monaco man had a number of games in the position, and that should encourage Reds fans that better things are possible.
Thiago Alcantara: It is not clear whether promises to be converted from a deep game creator to a wild man who struggled against slips was the only reason Thiago was determined to play under Jürgen Klopp or just part of the reason, but the Spaniard certainly indulged in the role.
For those who have watched the 29-year-old control games in the midfield for years, it is shocking to see him at the edge of the midfield, leading the press, and the number of fouls he has suffered at Red so far suggests that he is probably not so fond of his new role, but Thiago was excellent tonight, accumulating six tackles and an interception while hitting four in four on long passes.
He should have scored a goal or an assist when cleaning in the first half – his selfless selflessness out of the boot for Mohamed Salah was hampered and cut by Kevin Kampl – but overall, it was a tremendous performance from Liverpool’s new all-action mid- camper.
Big Nat Phillips: Despite a Bambi moment in the first half, when he was left looking absolutely glacial by the not-so-quick Yussuf Poulsen, Phillips has perhaps had his best outing with a red shirt so far. Throwing his bandaged skull in places where heads absolutely shouldn’t go, the 23-year-old put everything on the line tonight and will undoubtedly receive applause well deserved for his efforts.
G … Goals?: Liverpool scored two. And they were good too, with Mo Salah cutting from the inside and cutting the ball back to the next corner as if it were 2017 again, and Divock Origi preparing Sadio Mané for a touch on the far post as if he hadn’t made a factor not in the club for almost two years.
Of course, the Reds were still well short of the expected goals, losing four of their six big chances, as is tradition, but a dominant performance against the second best team in another first five championships, with an equal result is not something that should be taken for granted.
Speaking of turning points is probably premature, and tired Liverpool fans will expect a tough reckoning with reality next week, but for now, they are in the Champions League quarter-finals, and deservedly so. All told, this is a good thing.
Losers
Nagels McBagels: Since declaring Anfield no big deal a few years ago, Julian Nagelsmann has lost four straight games to the Reds, conceding ten goals and scoring just three. Sure, only one of them actually happened in Merseyside, but it’s still an uninspiring album for everyone’s daring young star.
Better luck next time, Julian! Anfield is not going anywhere.
What happens next
We are back in the sad reality of the Premier League, with the Reds facing Wolverhampton on Monday, but at least they are not playing at Anfield.
In fact, Liverpool won’t have another game in Merseyside for a month – when Leeds come to visit him on April 10 – as there will be an international break and a trip to the Emirates to await the return of proper football on Easter Saturday. . Which means that, assuming they don’t implode again against Wolves, Liverpool fans will have a chance to revel in the brilliance of another European success for quite some time.
Even the European reds of royalty!