Trent Alexander-Arnold has been hailed as a genius for the quick corner kick that led to Liverpool’s fourth and deciding goal last night. Yet to begin to understand the pursuit of impossible it is best to start with the instructions and the even spread of information.

Liverpool’s match analysts had noticed last week in the Camp Nou how Barcelona’s players moaned and became distracted whenever a free-kick or a throw-in was awarded against them, even if the decision was blatantly the correct one. This made Jurgen Klopp recognise the possibilities. And so, he filtered a message through the club. It proves that he certainly had not given up – that Liverpool’s recovery was not purely borne out of adrenaline and special oils. His belief was not blind. It translated into plans and schemes.

Carl Lancaster is a coaching mentor at the club’s academy in Kirkby and amongst his responsibilities is the co-ordination of ball boys. He had told them to serve Liverpool’s players as swiftly as possible on Tuesday morning. Oakley Cannonier did not forget and with eleven minutes to go, he fed Alexander-Arnold while Barcelona’s defence fidgeted amongst themselves 20-yards away. It seemed astonishing they were blissfully unaware of what might happen considering Liverpool had already shown their bulldozing intent.

Cannonier is a 14-year-old originally from Leeds who sometimes trains with two age groups above his natural level. Whatever happens in his career or life from here, he will remember his role in arguably the most remarkable victory in Liverpool’s entire history, where Klopp’s team proved their capacity to reduce the immortal to inconsolable wrecks and men of granite to goo.

It had meant so much to Lionel Messi, he was crying as he walked the plank past to the drug testing area. Tears, meanwhile, had fallen from James Milner’s bloodshot eyes. In the dressing room afterwards, the midfielder sat topless with his shirt draining on the floor, half-smiling not really knowing what to say or do.

Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Show all 50 1 /50 Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Soccer Football - Champions League Semi Final Second Leg - Liverpool v FC Barcelona - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 7, 2019 Liverpool players pose for a team group photo before the match REUTERS/Phil Noble PHIL NOBLE REUTERS Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Soccer Football - Champions League Semi Final Second Leg - Liverpool v FC Barcelona - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 7, 2019 Liverpool fans hold up their scarves before the match REUTERS/Phil Noble PHIL NOBLE REUTERS Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona epa07554368 Fans of Liverpool sing You'll never walk alone before the UEFA Champions League semi final 2nd leg match between Liverpool FC and FC Barcelona at Anfield, Liverpool, Britain, 07 May 2019. EPA/NEIL HALL NEIL HALL EPA Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Soccer Football - Champions League Semi Final Second Leg - Liverpool v FC Barcelona - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 7, 2019 Barcelona's Lionel Messi before the match Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine CARL RECINE Action Images via Reuters Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Soccer Football - Champions League Semi Final Second Leg - Liverpool v FC Barcelona - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 7, 2019 Referee Cuneyt Cakir talks to Liverpool's Andrew Robertson as Jordan Henderson and Barcelona's Lionel Messi look on REUTERS/Phil Noble PHIL NOBLE REUTERS Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Barcelona's Argentinian striker Lionel Messi (R) is tackled by Liverpool's Scottish defender Andrew Robertson during the UEFA Champions league semi-final second leg football match between Liverpool and Barcelona at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on May 7, 2019. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images PAUL ELLIS AFP/Getty Images Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Soccer Football - Champions League Semi Final Second Leg - Liverpool v FC Barcelona - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 7, 2019 Liverpool's Divock Origi scores their first goal Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine CARL RECINE Action Images via Reuters Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 07: Jordan Henderson of Liverpool celebrates as Divock Origi (R) scores his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final second leg match between Liverpool and Barcelona at Anfield on May 07, 2019 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) Shaun Botterill Getty Images Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Soccer Football - Champions League Semi Final Second Leg - Liverpool v FC Barcelona - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 7, 2019 Barcelona's Luis Suarez reacts after conceding their first goal scored by Liverpool's Divock Origi Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine CARL RECINE Action Images via Reuters Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Soccer Football - Champions League Semi Final Second Leg - Liverpool v FC Barcelona - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 7, 2019 Liverpool's Joel Matip and Barcelona's Luis Suarez both react after going down REUTERS/Phil Noble PHIL NOBLE REUTERS Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 07: Jordan Henderson of Liverpool beats Gerard Pique of Barcelona as it leads to their first goal during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final second leg match between Liverpool and Barcelona at Anfield on May 07, 2019 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) Shaun Botterill Getty Images Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 07: Arturo Vidal of Barcelona is challenged by James Milner of Liverpool during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final second leg match between Liverpool and Barcelona at Anfield on May 07, 2019 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) Clive Brunskill Getty Images Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Soccer Football - Champions League Semi Final Second Leg - Liverpool v FC Barcelona - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 7, 2019 Barcelona's Luis Suarez reacts Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine CARL RECINE Action Images via Reuters Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Soccer Football - Champions League Semi Final Second Leg - Liverpool v FC Barcelona - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 7, 2019 Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp speaks with a match official Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine CARL RECINE Action Images via Reuters Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Liverpool's Georginio Wijnaldum scores his side's second goal of the game during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final, second leg match at Anfield, Liverpool. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday May 7, 2019. See PA story SOCCER Liverpool. Photo credit should read: Peter Byrne/PA Wire. Peter Byrne PA Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 07: Georginio Wijnaldum of Liverpool (obscured) celebrates as he scores his team's second goal during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final second leg match between Liverpool and Barcelona at Anfield on May 07, 2019 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) Shaun Botterill Getty Images Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 07: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Georginio Wijnaldum of Liverpool scores the second goal and celebrates during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final second leg match between Liverpool and Barcelona at Anfield on May 07, 2019 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) Andrew Powell Liverpool FC via Getty Images Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Barcelona's Lionel Messi (left) reacts during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final, second leg match at Anfield, Liverpool. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday May 7, 2019. See PA story SOCCER Liverpool. Photo credit should read: Peter Byrne/PA Wire. Peter Byrne PA Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 07: Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool and James Milner of Liverpool in discussion during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final second leg match between Liverpool and Barcelona at Anfield on May 07, 2019 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) Clive Brunskill Getty Images Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Soccer Football - Champions League Semi Final Second Leg - Liverpool v FC Barcelona - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 7, 2019 Liverpool's Georginio Wijnaldum scores their third goal REUTERS/Phil Noble PHIL NOBLE REUTERS Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Soccer Football - Champions League Semi Final Second Leg - Liverpool v FC Barcelona - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 7, 2019 Liverpool's Georginio Wijnaldum celebrates scoring their third goal with Jordan Henderson REUTERS/Phil Noble PHIL NOBLE REUTERS Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Liverpool's Dutch midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum (R) celebrates after scoring their third goal during the UEFA Champions league semi-final second leg football match between Liverpool and Barcelona at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on May 7, 2019. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images PAUL ELLIS AFP/Getty Images Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Soccer Football - Champions League Semi Final Second Leg - Liverpool v FC Barcelona - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 7, 2019 Liverpool's Georginio Wijnaldum celebrates scoring their third goal with Jordan Henderson and Trent Alexander-Arnold REUTERS/Phil Noble PHIL NOBLE REUTERS Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Soccer Football - Champions League Semi Final Second Leg - Liverpool v FC Barcelona - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 7, 2019 Liverpool's Georginio Wijnaldum celebrates scoring their third goal with Jordan Henderson and Trent Alexander-Arnold REUTERS/Phil Noble PHIL NOBLE REUTERS Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Liverpool's Dutch midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum (C) celebrates with Liverpool's English midfielder Jordan Henderson (L) and Liverpool's English defender Trent Alexander-Arnold after scoring their third goal during the UEFA Champions league semi-final second leg football match between Liverpool and Barcelona at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on May 7, 2019. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images OLI SCARFF AFP/Getty Images Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Soccer Football - Champions League Semi Final Second Leg - Liverpool v FC Barcelona - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 7, 2019 Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp reacts REUTERS/Phil Noble PHIL NOBLE REUTERS Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Soccer Football - Champions League Semi Final Second Leg - Liverpool v FC Barcelona - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 7, 2019 Barcelona's Luis Suarez and Gerard Pique react after conceding their third goal scored by Liverpool's Georginio Wijnaldum Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine CARL RECINE Action Images via Reuters Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Barcelona's German goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen (L) blocks a shot by Liverpool's Senegalese striker Sadio Mane during the UEFA Champions league semi-final second leg football match between Liverpool and Barcelona at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on May 7, 2019. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images OLI SCARFF AFP/Getty Images Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona epa07554429 Xherdan Shaqiri (L) of Liverpool and Arturo Vidal of Barcelona (R) in action during the UEFA Champions League semi final 2nd leg match between Liverpool FC and FC Barcelona at Anfield, Liverpool, Britain, 07 May 2019. EPA/NEIL HALL NEIL HALL EPA Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Soccer Football - Champions League Semi Final Second Leg - Liverpool v FC Barcelona - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 7, 2019 Liverpool's Divock Origi scores their fourth goal REUTERS/Phil Noble PHIL NOBLE REUTERS Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Soccer Football - Champions League Semi Final Second Leg - Liverpool v FC Barcelona - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 7, 2019 Liverpool's Divock Origi scores their fourth goal REUTERS/Phil Noble PHIL NOBLE REUTERS Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 07: Divock Origi of Liverpool (27) celebrates as he scores his team's fourth goal with Xherdan Shaqiri and team mates during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final second leg match between Liverpool and Barcelona at Anfield on May 07, 2019 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) Clive Brunskill Getty Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Liverpool's Divock Origi celebrates scoring his side's 4th goal during the Champions League semifinal, second leg, soccer match between Liverpool and FC Barcelona at the Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England, Tuesday, May 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson) Dave Thompson AP Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Liverpool's Divock Origi celebrates scoring his side's fourth goal of the game during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final, second leg match at Anfield, Liverpool. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday May 7, 2019. See PA story SOCCER Liverpool. Photo credit should read: Peter Byrne/PA Wire. Peter Byrne PA Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Soccer Football - Champions League Semi Final Second Leg - Liverpool v FC Barcelona - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 7, 2019 Liverpool's Divock Origi celebrates scoring their fourth goal with Xherdan Shaqiri and Trent Alexander-Arnold REUTERS/Phil Noble PHIL NOBLE REUTERS Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 07: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Divock Origi of Liverpool celebrates scoring the forth goal during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final second leg match between Liverpool and Barcelona at Anfield on May 07, 2019 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) Andrew Powell Liverpool FC via Getty Images Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Soccer Football - Champions League Semi Final Second Leg - Liverpool v FC Barcelona - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 7, 2019 Barcelona's Lionel Messi looks dejected REUTERS/Phil Noble PHIL NOBLE Reuters Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Soccer Football - Champions League Semi Final Second Leg - Liverpool v FC Barcelona - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 7, 2019 General view of the scoreboard during the match Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine CARL RECINE Action Images via Reuters Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 07: Ernesto Valverde, Manager of Barcelona reacts during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final second leg match between Liverpool and Barcelona at Anfield on May 07, 2019 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) Shaun Botterill Getty Images Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Soccer Football - Champions League Semi Final Second Leg - Liverpool v FC Barcelona - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 7, 2019 Liverpool's Jordan Henderson celebrates after the match REUTERS/Phil Noble PHIL NOBLE REUTERS Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Soccer Football - Champions League Semi Final Second Leg - Liverpool v FC Barcelona - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 7, 2019 Barcelona's Marc-Andre ter Stegen reacts after the match Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine CARL RECINE Action Images via Reuters Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Soccer Football - Champions League Semi Final Second Leg - Liverpool v FC Barcelona - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 7, 2019 Barcelona's Ivan Rakitic, Clement Lenglet and Philippe Coutinho react after conceding their third goal scored by Liverpool's Georginio Wijnaldum Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine CARL RECINE Action Images via Reuters Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde walks next to the bench during the Champions League semifinal, second leg, soccer match between Liverpool and FC Barcelona at the Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England, Tuesday, May 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson) Dave Thompson AP Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Liverpool's Mohamed Salah (left), manager Jurgen Klopp (centre) and Virgil van Dijk celebrate after the UEFA Champions League Semi Final, second leg match at Anfield, Liverpool. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday May 7, 2019. See PA story SOCCER Liverpool. Photo credit should read: Peter Byrne/PA Wire. Peter Byrne PA Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker (left), Georginio Wijnaldum (centre) and Trent Alexander-Arnold celebrates after the UEFA Champions League Semi Final, second leg match at Anfield, Liverpool. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday May 7, 2019. See PA story SOCCER Liverpool. Photo credit should read: Peter Byrne/PA Wire. Peter Byrne PA Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 07: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Liverpool players sing the anthem 'You'll Never Walk Alone" with the Liverpool fans at the end of the UEFA Champions League Semi Final second leg match between Liverpool and Barcelona at Anfield on May 07, 2019 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) Andrew Powell Liverpool FC via Getty Images Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp (fourth right), Mohamed Salah (fifth right) and Virgil van Dijk (third right) celebrate after the final whistle Martin Rickett EMPICS Sport Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 07: Liverpool players celebrate following their sides victory in the UEFA Champions League Semi Final second leg match between Liverpool and Barcelona at Anfield on May 07, 2019 in Liverpool, England. 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Georginio Wijnaldum had welled-up as well. He was furious that he’d been left out of Liverpool’s first XI. Inside ten minutes of his introduction at half time, he’d touched the ball six times. He’d scored twice. In front of the TV cameras, the Dutchman – usually so eloquent and able to find the right words – could not.

While Wijnaldum missed out on a starting place here, it was Jordan Henderson’s turn six days earlier in Barcelona. That both players emerged so influential reflects Liverpool’s resourcefulness, as well as their determination. In the 25th minute, Henderson, indeed, had seemed dead. On the floor. Not moving. Dead. Some of the midfielder’s critics might ask how a person can die if he’s never really lived? Despite pain in his knee, Henderson rose. In the fifth minute of injury time, he was still running: charging at opponents and intimidating them, as though thunder had charged his body.

“I was struggling a little bit when I got a whack on the knee, it was dead,” he admitted. “The doctor said just keep it moving. I managed to get to half time and I had a bit of treatment, took painkillers, all that stuff which helped. There was a jab and tablets. Both. Everything. I said: ‘just give us everything.’ So I managed to get through it and the crowd helped as well and keep us going.”

He could not really compute the outcome happened either. The best night of his career, he called it. “It was unbelievable. From start to finish I thought the lads were amazing. The atmosphere was amazing. It was just unbelievable.

Origi scored what proved to be the decisive goal (AP)

“We were 3-0 down but still took confidence from the performance (in the first leg). Still believed that we were the better team over there, though it is hard to say that when you get beat 3-0. But in the changing room we had belief we could hurt them.”

Can there really be a more appropriate captain for Liverpool at this moment? A player written-off, but never by coaches. A team written off, but never by their fans. A city written off, but never by its inhabitants.

“I think we proved quite a few people wrong tonight,” Henderson declared. “We showed that if you never give up and you keep trying you can produce special things.”

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On Sunday, Liverpool hope for another special thing, only this special thing is out of their control.

Henderson believes it can still happen for Liverpool in the Premier League. “The manager has ingrained that into us - no matter what happens you keep fighting right until the end until the final whistle goes. That is what we have done all season and we will continue to do that on Sunday.”