LIVERPOOL is now the $2.60 favourites to win the UEFA Europa League with Sportsbet.com.au after coming back from two goals down to snatch an unlikely victory against German side Borussia Dortmund on Friday morning.
The Reds were left reeling after Dortmund scored two goals within the opening 10 minutes of the match through Mkhitaryan and Aubameyang, leaving the home side with the arduous task finding three goals to insure progression through to the next stage of the tournament.
Liverpool was unable to find the back of the net in the first half and blew out to double figure odds in live betting to win the match.
An early second half goal to young gun Divock Origi breathed new life into the contest, but Dortmund were able to respond not long after – restoring the two goal lead and leaving the Reds needing three goals to win the match.
The game was entertaining up until this stage, but the best was yet to come.
Philippe Coutinho gave the Reds’ fans hope that something special could be in the offing after he beat the keeper with a long range effort.
The final stages of the match were absolutely pulsating, with Mamadou Sakho leaving the scores just before stoppage time, igniting the Anfield crowd.
With just two minutes left in stoppage time Dejan Lovern headed a James Milner cross into the back of the net to seal one of Liverpool’s finest ever European victories.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said his belief in the players never wavered despite the daunting scoreline.
“We needed three goals and I said that, even if it is not really likely, it is possible and we should try to do it,” Klopp said.
“Everybody could see something happened in the stadium. You could feel it, hear it, smell it.
“It was brilliant, outstanding, emotional, everything. I will not forget it because it was special. Now we have to carry on and try to do it more often.”
Liverpool striker Divock Origi said words of wisdom from their manager helped inspire them to the famous victory.
“The coach said we had to create a moment to tell our grandchildren, or children, about – to make a special night for the fans.” Origi said.
“We believed in it. When we scored the first goal, we all felt it would be a special moment.”
After having the game in hand for the majority of the contest, Dortmund is now out of the competition they were favourites to win.
Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel was lost for words in the aftermath of the match.
“If you expect an explanation I have to disappoint you,” Tuchel said.
“It was not logical. It was very emotional.
“It was an atmosphere when I think everybody except our supporters believed it was meant to be – it was destiny.”
Tuchel likened the win to arguably Liverpool’s greatest ever footballing triumph.
“If you think about the Champions League final with AC Milan when Liverpool came from 3-0 down to win, that contributed to the energy and belief in the stadium.
“Then everybody believed in the lucky punch – but we didn’t do it and all congratulations to Liverpool.”
The Europa League semi-final draw is set to take place on Friday morning at 11.30am, and will be held at UEFA’s basecamp in Nyon, Switzerland.
UEFA Europa League Outright Betting Market
Sevilla $3.00
Villarreal $4.00
Shakhtar Donetsk $6.00
