Liverpool opinion: Big-game Liverpool is here to stay under Jurgen Klopp

The scenario was pretty straightforward for Liverpool ahead of the Champions League semi-final second leg against Barcelona.

The Reds had to win by four clear goals to qualify for the finals, however, that was never going to be easy against the La Liga champions.

Lionel Messi was on fire, we did not have Mohamed Salah or Roberto Firmino and there was a psychological blow just 24 hours earlier.

Manchester City beat Leicester City 1-0 thanks to Vincent Kompany thunderbolt and reclaimed top spot in the Premier League.

Leicester were our best bet to hold City or even beat them in this thrilling Premier League race, and it would have made sense for Jurgen Klopp to ensure the Reds finished their Champions League campaign on a high with a respectable performance against Barcelona.

The Catalans even rested their best players at the weekend, while we fought hard to defeat Newcastle at St. James’ Park.

However, an incredible Liverpool came out fighting from the first minute and pulled off an unbelievable 4-0 win over the Catalans.

Hapless Catalans fall to Origi and Wijnaldum

Every player out there on the pitch did their job for the Reds perfectly.

Alisson made some great saves, our centre-backs shut out Luis Suarez and Messi, Trent Alexander-Arnold was relentless down the left, Fabinho was charging Barca’s midfield down, Jordan Henderson was running around like there was no tomorrow.

Sadio Mane did the same and Divock Origi opened the scoring for us in the seventh minute. Liverpool were on Barcelona like a bad rash and even when they had to alter their playing XI, they did not stop.

James Milner slotted into the left-back role as Georginio Wijnaldum replaced the injured Andy Robertson.

The Dutch midfielder scored a brace as the tie turned around before Trent’s quick thinking saw Origi deliver the knockout blow.

It would have been easy for Liverpool to look for a 1-0 or 2-0 win against a well-rested Barcelona team and leave with their heads held high.

However, they destroyed Barcelona, even without two of the best players in the world, and it just goes to show what Jurgen Klopp has turned us into.

Big games are supposed to be a difficult test for any club, but this Liverpool team thrives under the pressure, even if the opposition might have a better side on paper.

The Reds have barely put a foot wrong all throughout the season and have only grown better since the first day of the campaign.

Last night was a reminder of the “full-throttle” football we had shown last season, except this season we brought that down by a couple of gears.

There still was method to the madness and Barcelona did not know what hit them. Liverpool could have scored a few more and this win should give us the confidence of ending the season on a high.

The players ran themselves to the ground but that is what a Klopp team is supposed to do.

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This season has been miraculous and who is to say another won’t take place as we fight Manchester City for the Premier League title on Sunday.