5 of Liverpool’s greatest European comebacks
Liverpool are one of the most popular and successful clubs in the world. The Reds have won 11 European trophies including five Champions Leagues and three Europa Leagues. In fact, only Real Madrid, AC Milan and Barcelona have more European honours than the giants of Merseyside.
Even though Liverpool have failed to win a league title for over two and half decades, they are still considered as a European giant. This is because of some of Liverpool’s spectacular performance against the other top teams from Europe. The club are known for making their home ground, Anfield, a very difficult place to visit and that’s why the stadium has witnessed some truly remarkable performances.
Over the years, football fans have been treated to some truly remarkable comebacks from Liverpool and their recent triumph over Borussia Dortmund in the Europa League is no different. We are turning the pages of the history book and divulging into five of the best comebacks by Liverpool in European competitions.
Liverpool vs Auxerre: UEFA Cup 2nd round, November 1991
It was Liverpool’s first season back in European competitions following their exile. Former Liverpool player, Graeme Souness, was also taking charge of the side for a full season for the first time.
Liverpool were participating in the UEFA Cup which is now known as the UEFA Europa League. The reds steamrolled past Finnish club Kuusysi Lahti in the first round before facing French club Auxerre in the second.
The first leg of the tie was in France and the Reds were taken apart by the home side. If it weren’t for the heroics of Liverpool’s goalkeeper, Bruce Grobbelaar, they would have gone to the return leg at Anfield with a bigger defeat than 2-0.
In the return leg at Anfield, Liverpool were back in the tie quickly after an early penalty from Jan Molby. At the half an hour mark, Mike Marsh scored a rare goal to level the tie on aggregate. Auxerre held on to this position until the 83rd minute, but Liverpool’s pressure finally cracked their defence and Mark Walters’s goal completed the comeback.