Liverpool enjoyed one of the most remarkable Champions League victories on Tuesday night, fighting from 3-0 down to defeat Barcelona, but Leeds also played an indirect role.
Jurgen Klopp’s side trailed from the first leg last week at the Camp Nou, but a scintillating performance at Anfield turned the tie on its head, seeing Liverpool emerge as 4-0 victors to seal a spot in the Champions League final for the second year in a row.
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While the Reds chase their sixth European title, a lot of the focus has been on the star players on the field who played a crucial part in the turnaround, but it has been revealed Leeds played a small part in the result.
As identified by the Independent, ballboy Oakley Cannonier quickly retrieved the ball to hand to Trent Alexander-Arnold to take a quick corner, catching Barcelona’s defence off guard and allowing Divock Origi to smash home the winning goal.
The 14 year old ball boy, Oakley Cannonier, is last night's OG ♥️ pic.twitter.com/T3uow5Kyhg
— Sarchotic (@iSarchotic) May 8, 2019
The tactic came straight from Liverpool’s analysts, who had noticed in the first-leg defeat Barcelona’s players moaned or became distracted whenever a decision went against them even if it was an obvious call for the referee.
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Klopp’s side used that to their advantage, with Carl Lancaster, a coach in the youth side and co-ordinator of the ball boys, relaying that message to those situated around the field, providing 14-year-old Oakley with a moment he will remember forever.
Random Leeds fact: Ex lufc academy player the LFC ball boy last night who helped A-Arnold with taking the corner quickly https://t.co/ywpCDdpHXn
— Lucy Ward (@lucyjward_) May 8, 2019
The teenager, originally from Leeds, sometimes trains with age groups two years above him and could be set to play a more direct role on the field in the coming years but, for now, he can remember something particularly unique.
