Jurgen Klopp choked back the tears after a Liverpool miracle to explain: “We just had to go back to the final”.
The Reds boss insisted this impossible demolition of Barcelona - to overturn a three goal deficit and reach the Champions’ League final again - is something that will surely never be repeated in football again.
And Klopp revealed the powerful motivation behind an epic Anfield night when he said: “Last year we really felt we had to go back.
“After what happened against Madrid (in the 2018 final), we felt we can not let it stand like this, that is not possible.
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“Now it’s…I am so emotional. When I saw the tears in the eyes of my players, it is so special. I do know if it happened before, and I’m no sure it can ever happen again.”
Klopp was exhausted as he met with the media afterwards, the emotion of the greatest night in Anfield history overwhelming even this magician of a manager.
And after two goals apiece from Divock Origi and Gini Wijnaldum gave Liverpool victory on a truly epic night, he insisted every single one of his players were incredible heroes…with the most incredible mental resilience
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“I don’t care if I get fined I just have to say it - these players are f****** mentality monsters,” he said.
"The whole game was too much. It was overwhelming. We played against maybe the best team in world. Winning is difficult but winning with a clean sheet, I don’t know they did it. It’s unbelievable.
"I saw James Milner crying on the pitch after the game. It means so much to all of us. It’s the best phase of football. There are more important things in the world. But creating this emotional atmosphere together is so special. It’s all about the players.
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"The mix of potential and unbelievable heart is just a mix I never saw before.”
Klopp also praised the incredible atmosphere generated by the Anfield crowd, which not only sucked the ball into the net but also turned even mighty Barca into nervous wrecks.
“It was pounding like crazy. That is how I would describe it. You could feel it and probably hear it all over the world. I am so happy we could give the people this chance,” he added.
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“I don’t think it could happen anywhere else. No chance. We know that this club is based on atmosphere, emotion, desire and football quality. you cut off one, it doesn’t work. We know that. We had everything.”
Klopp could barely speak at the end of the press conference, such was his emotion. But he singled out Trent Alexander-Arnold and Divock Origi for the tie-winning goal that sent Anfield into orbit.
“A genius moment like Trent’s, wow, I saw the ball flying in the net and I didn’t know who took the corner or who scored. Now I saw it back, incredibly clever. Just incredible, smart, two players only connected and this moment it was enough.”
