Unsung hero of Liverpool's stunning Champions League fight back against Barcelona

An unsung hero has been hailed for his helping hand in Liverpool's winning goal against Barcelona .

Trent Alexander-Arnold's quick corner routine caught Barca's experienced defenders off-guard, allowing Divock Origi to turn the ball into the net.

But the quick corner was only allowed to be taken because of some fast thinking from a volunteer at Anfield.

A young ballboy's rapid reactions saw a second ball thrown towards Alexander-Arnold so he could place it in the quadrant ready for a corner even before the original match ball had been cleared off the pitch.

Liverpool legend Graeme Souness spotted the alertness of the ballboy as he acted as a pundit on Virgin Media Sport.

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The ballboy got the match ball back over to Alexander-Arnold in rapid time (BT Sport)

The ballboy's quick reactions have been lauded by Liverpool fans (BT Sport)

He said: "Watch this, we will circle him. It goes out for a corner.

They are following the ball; watch the ballboy here. He is already on the spot. He puts it down now. He goes to walk away and he realises there is a few dopes gone to sleep.

"They have all turned their back on it. That is criminal, criminal for a professional footballer."

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The ballboy then collected the original ball just before the decisive corner was taken (BT Sport)

Souness later claimed that the ballboy should be handed a season ticket and a route to the Champions League final for his actions.

Alexander-Arnold said the quickly-taken corner that led to Liverpool's decisive fourth goal was pure instinct.

The 20-year-old right back had already helped set up Liverpool's second goal with a pass for Georginio Wijnaldum when, with the aggregate score tied at 3-3, the ball went out behind the Barcelona goal in the 79th minute.

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Origi celebrates scoring the decisive fourth goal of the game for Liverpool (REUTERS)

Alexander-Arnold reacts in disbelief at the full-time whistle (PA)

Alexander-Arnold, seeing the Spanish club's defenders still getting organised, feigned to walk away from the corner before racing back to whip the ball to the unmarked Origi, who clipped it past Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

"I think it was just instinctive," Alexander-Arnold told BT Sport. "It was just one of those moments where you see the opportunity and obviously Div was switched on to finish it off.

"It probably came at him a bit fast but he's a top player, scored two goals for us tonight and I think it's one of them where everyone will remember this moment."

• You can buy your souvenir copy of the Mirror on Merseyside today, recording the amazing victory.