We can be Liverpool heroes! Trent Alexander-Arnold calls on depleted squad to try to overturn Barcelona defeat

Fighting talk | Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold
John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
David Lynch6 May 2019

Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino’s replacements have the chance to ‘make themselves heroes’ against Barcelona, says Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Injuries mean Liverpool will be without two of their first-choice front three when they contest the second leg of their Champions League semi-final at Anfield.

And that could result in opportunities for the likes of Divock Origi and Xherdan Shaqiri, who combined for the late decider in Saturday’s 3-2 win at Newcastle.

Alexander-Arnold believes such players could write themselves into Anfield folklore if they make a big contribution to turning round a 3-0 aggregate deficit.

He said: “We have got two of our main goalscorers off but is also presents an opportunity for some other lads to come in and make names for themselves and make themselves heroes.

Liverpool squad 2019-20 | Injuries, contracts and squad numbers

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“If we do overturn the deficit tomorrow then, whoever scores, their name will always be remembered because I'm sure it will be one of those really special nights.

“It's an opportunity and the lads who maybe don’t get as many minutes as the others who are injured now will be looking to get those minutes and show why they deserve these opportunities.”

Liverpool have scored 64 goals at home in all competitions this season and will need three without reply if they are to take tomorrow’s game to extra time.

Alexander-Arnold remains confident that an undefeated Anfield record and a partisan crowd will help make that difficult task slightly more possible.

He added: “I think we have obviously had decent results where we have scored more than three goals.

“Being at home obviously helps us, we have the fans behind us and there's still that sense of belief. We know it is going to be really hard, it's not going to be a walk in the park, I think everyone has just got to be realistic.

“But we definitely still have that belief in the dressing room that anything is possible, especially at Anfield, and hopefully we can produce one of those special nights here.”

The Reds’ last major European comeback saw them shock Borussia Dortmund in the second leg of a 2015 Europa League quarter-final tie.

The hosts looked dead and buried as they trailed 3-1 and then 4-2 on aggregate during that Anfield encounter before Dejan Lovren’s late header sealed a 5-4 overall victory.

Asked about that game, Alexander-Arnold said: “I was here as a fan. It was one of them special nights. You always remember where you are when those type of things happen.

“I am sure the fans will believe we have it in us - especially a team like this - to score that many goals and hopefully not concede.

“Realistically, it's a real uphill battle for us, but I think it is important to have that belief as well. There is a slim possibility but the possibility is still there so while it is still there we will believe with everything we've got that we can do it.

“As a team we've got to out there and be fearless and to not hold back at all. That's the only way that we probably get the result we want, to not hold back and to go out there with no fear and focus on ourselves.

“If we get caught up with thinking about the players they've got and fearing them and holding players back then I don't think that's really going to work for us. It's all about everyone getting involved and scoring as many goals as possible really.”

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