Liverpool shock Barcelona — With the Laces

*Rich Linley / Camera Sport via Getty Images*

After an absolute belter from Vincent Kompany on Monday, it seemed like Liverpool's season was over. At that point, Liverpool needed a miracle in order to win the Premier League and they were down 3-0 on aggregate to Barcelona in the Champions League. Plus, they had been knocked out of the FA Cup by Wolverhampton Wanderers months ago. Just when the world counted Liverpool out, they came roaring back in dramatic fashion.

Liverpool just couldn't get the job one during the first leg against Barcelona, Mohamed Salah hit the post and they squandered numerous chances. Messi was spectacular scoring two goals one of which was a stunning free-kick right into the top corner. Barcelona was in firm control of the tie as they headed to Anfield for the second leg especially with Salah and Roberto Firmino out injured.

Before I dive into the game itself, I just want to say how happy I am that Barcelona lost. I have nothing against Messi don't get me wrong but any team with Luis Suarez on it is not a team I would ever root for. His obnoxious banter in the first leg carried over into the second and now his ass is sitting at home sulking because he's the starting striker on a team that blew two massive leads in the Champions League two years in a row. Someone on Liverpool should have walked up to him after the game and mocked him with the Reggie Miller "choking" taunt. Also, it's always a great day when Messi twitter isn't blowing up your feed. Sorry Messi fans.

I think we learned what makes Liverpool tick. It's not Mo Salah and it's not Firmino, It's Jurgen Klopp. As a Chelsea fan I dream of having a manager like Klopp and I'd much rather have him than a guy that chews on spent cigarettes on the sidelines. Regardless, if I was a footballer, I would want to play for Klopp over all the other managers in Europe. Why? Because he's inspiring. Right off the bat, Liverpool's players came out with an intensity that would ultimately win them the game. Klopps created a captivating culture at Liverpool in which every player seems to have completely bought in.

Last year in the Champions League Final, 19-year-old Trent Alexander-Arnold started at right back. The teenager held Ronaldo goal-less although Liverpool came up short. Alexander-Arnold might be my favorite Liverpool player. He's only 20-years old and he's becoming one of the best right backs in the world. He finished third in the Premier League with 13 assists (PremierLeague.com). I think this kids career with Liverpool as well as England, is going to be magnificent.

Apart from Alexander-Arnold, there were two players that really impressed me. Divock Origi and Georginio Wijnaldum. For starters, Origi started the scoring and finished it with two goals including the tie-winning dagger that sealed Barcelona's fate. It seems like this kid strictly scores big goals as he was coming off a performance in which he scored the game-winner at Newcastle to keep Liverpool's title hopes alive. Liverpool has been rumored to have a two-year deal in place for him and why the hell not?

The next player that impressed me, Wijnaldum, might be one of my favorite players in the league. This midfielder is constantly slept on and after being benched for this game, Wijnaldum came on and scored two goals. The former Newcastle man has been excellent this season and perhaps Virgil Van Dyk isn't the only star-studded player from the Netherlands to wear a Liverpool shirt.

Lastly, can we just talk about how embarrassing Barcelona has been over the past two years? I get that they won La Liga this year but really? To exit the Champions League in such humiliating fashion two years in a row is just horrid, to put it mildly. Now, I'm not going to rip Messi apart but all I'm going to say is that if Ronaldo was in his shoes, people would be all OVER him. Regardless, Messi was sensational in the first leg but to think that Barcelona was as great as they used to be solely because of him would be crazy.

Barcelona had three players in the starting XI that were younger than 30. Marc-Andre ter Stegen (27), Philippe Coutinho (26), and Sergio Roberto (27). All the other players, including Messi, are 30 or older. I still think Messi is playing at the top of his game but is everyone else? Jordi Alba, so great in the first leg, looked shook by 20-year-old Alexander- Arnold. Take Messi out of the equation and this team is garbage. Worse than Real Madrid? Maybe. Worse than Manchester United? Absolutely not. This team needs major overhaul this summer. You can't just ride Messi out until the end of his career hoping for the best. You need to spend now to ensure that you can truly maximize his ability.

The signing of Frenkie de Jong from Ajax will help bring much-needed life to the club and the sale of Coutinho who is most definitely leaving this summer will generate ample spending money. Perhaps the signing of Matthjis de Ligt could help Barca out too but I think their funds could be better spent elsewhere. For me, if I'm Barcelona, I'd be going all out for Mbappe and I wouldn't be surprised if they snag him this summer.

So there you have it. Liverpool although they missed out on the Premier League title, they will have the chance to win the UEFA Champions League. A feat that slipped through their fingers last year. If their performance against Barcelona wasn't enough to convince you that they can win it… well, you're probably a Barcelona fan.