Liverpool's Champions League Hope: Ranking Football's Greatest Comebacks
The Champions League stands alone in delivering breathtaking comebacks that defy all expectations. This elite European competition thrives on the belief that no tie is ever truly finished until the final whistle blows. Liverpool manager Arne Slot will undoubtedly emphasise this spirit to his squad ahead of Paris Saint-Germain's crucial visit to Anfield on Tuesday evening.
Despite trailing 2-0 after PSG's commanding performance at the Parc des Princes last week, Liverpool retain a glimmer of hope. As the Reds prepare to mount a famous fightback against the reigning Champions League holders, Daily Mail Sport revisits the most extraordinary turnarounds in the tournament's illustrious history, where Liverpool feature prominently among the legends.
10. Sporting Lisbon vs Bodo/Glimt (Round of 16, 2025-26)
First leg: Bodo/Glimt 3-0 Sporting Lisbon
Second leg: Sporting Lisbon 5-0 Bodo/Glimt (Sporting win 5-3 on aggregate)
Overturning a three-goal deficit in a Champions League second leg remains an exceedingly rare achievement, accomplished by only five teams throughout history. Sporting Lisbon joined this exclusive group last month with a stunning home performance against the surprise package Bodo/Glimt.
The Norwegian club had shocked everyone with a 3-0 first-leg victory, leaving Rui Borges' side with a monumental challenge. However, goals from Goncalo Inacio, Pedro Goncalves, and Luis Suarez forced extra time at the Jose Alvalade Stadium. With momentum firmly in their favour, Sporting sealed a remarkable 5-3 aggregate win through Maximiliano Araujo and Rafael Nel, booking a quarter-final clash with Arsenal.
9. Real Madrid vs Manchester City (Semi-final, 2021-22)
First leg: Manchester City 4-3 Real Madrid
Second leg: Real Madrid 3-1 Manchester City (Real win 6-5 on aggregate)
The fierce rivalry between English and Spanish giants has produced numerous thrilling encounters, but Real Madrid's astonishing comeback at the Bernabeu in 2022 stands above them all. Pep Guardiola's Manchester City arrived in Madrid with a 4-3 advantage and seemed certain to reach the final when Riyad Mahrez scored on 73 minutes, extending their aggregate lead to two goals.
Substitute Rodrygo had other plans, netting twice in the 90th and 91st minutes to level the tie. Karim Benzema then converted a 95th-minute penalty, completing one of the most dramatic turnarounds ever witnessed. This victory proved pivotal as Real Madrid defeated Liverpool 1-0 in the final, while City ended their Champions League drought the following season.
8. Manchester United vs PSG (Round of 16, 2018-19)
First leg: Manchester United 0-2 PSG
Second leg: PSG 1-3 Manchester United (3-3 on aggregate, United win on away goals)
While many comebacks involve larger deficits, this tie remains unique. Manchester United are the only side to win a Champions League knockout tie after losing the first leg at home by two goals. Under caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who understood dramatic turnarounds, United travelled to Paris needing a miracle.
Romelu Lukaku's early goal was quickly cancelled out by Juan Bernat, but Lukaku struck again on the half-hour mark. Marcus Rashford completed the incredible fightback with a stoppage-time penalty, silencing the Parc des Princes and stunning Thomas Tuchel's star-studded PSG as United triumphed on away goals.
7. Deportivo La Coruna vs AC Milan (Quarter-final, 2003-04)
First leg: AC Milan 4-1 Deportivo La Coruna
Second leg: Deportivo La Coruna 4-0 AC Milan (Deportivo win 5-4 on aggregate)
AC Milan's squad in 2004 was packed with superstars like Kaka, Jaap Stam, Andriy Shevchenko, Clarence Seedorf, and Paolo Maldini. When they established a 4-1 lead in the quarter-final, everyone assumed the tie was over. However, Deportivo La Coruna staged one of the greatest comebacks in Champions League history.
The Spanish club scored four goals while keeping a clean sheet at home, stunning Milan with a 5-4 aggregate victory. This bizarre Champions League season concluded with Jose Mourinho's Porto famously lifting the trophy after eliminating Deportivo in the semi-finals.
6. Roma vs Barcelona (Quarter-final, 2017-18)
First leg: Barcelona 4-1 Roma
Second leg: Roma 3-0 Barcelona (4-4 on aggregate, Roma win on away goals)
Following a 4-1 defeat in Catalonia, Roma faced the near-impossible task of overturning a three-goal deficit against Lionel Messi's Barcelona. Yet they achieved the unthinkable with a passionate display at the Stadio Olimpico.
Edin Dzeko opened the scoring in the sixth minute, and Daniele De Rossi converted a penalty just before the hour mark. Kostas Manolas secured the advantage on away goals with an 82nd-minute header, sending Roma through to the semi-finals. Commentator Peter Drury immortalised the moment, declaring, 'Roma have risen from their ruins... the unthinkable unfolds before our eyes.'
5. Manchester United vs Bayern Munich (Final, 1998-99)
Final: Manchester United 2-1 Bayern Munich
While not a two-legged comeback, Manchester United's dramatic 1999 Champions League final deserves a place on this list. Mario Basler's early free-kick put Bayern Munich ahead, leaving Sir Alex Ferguson's side struggling. However, inspired substitutions changed everything.
Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer came off the bench to score in the 91st and 93rd minutes respectively, securing United's second Champions League title and completing their historic Treble. Although only a one-goal turnaround, its significance in football lore is undeniable.
4. Ajax vs Tottenham (Semi-final, 2018-19)
First leg: Tottenham 0-1 Ajax
Second leg: Ajax 2-3 Tottenham (3-3 on aggregate, Spurs win on away goals)
The 2018-19 Champions League delivered some of football's most entertaining contests, with Tottenham's last-gasp victory over Ajax standing out. Trailing by a goal heading to Amsterdam, Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham faced a daunting task against Ajax's talented young core.
When Matthijs de Ligt and Hakim Ziyech extended Ajax's aggregate lead to 3-0, Tottenham's hopes seemed dashed. Lucas Moura revived them with two quick goals before the hour mark. In a moment of pure delirium, Moura completed his hat-trick with a 96th-minute strike, firing Tottenham into the final with an unforgettable comeback.
3. Liverpool vs AC Milan (Final, 2004-05)
Final: AC Milan 3-3 Liverpool (AET, Liverpool win 3-2 on penalties)
Istanbul holds a special place in Liverpool fans' hearts forever. After Paolo Maldini's first-minute opener and Hernan Crespo's brace, AC Milan led 3-0 at half-time in the 2005 final. With one of the world's most formidable teams ahead, Liverpool's chances appeared nonexistent.
Rafa Benitez's side emerged in the second half with renewed determination. A remarkable six-minute spell saw Steven Gerrard, Vladimir Smicer, and Xabi Alonso score to level the match. Goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek became the hero in the shootout, his controversial antics helping force Milan to miss three penalties as Liverpool claimed their fifth European title.
2. Liverpool vs Barcelona (Semi-final, 2018-19)
First leg: Barcelona 3-0 Liverpool
Second leg: Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona (4-3 on aggregate)
Liverpool have experienced many magical European nights, but overturning a 3-0 deficit against Barcelona at Anfield in 2019 stands as perhaps their finest. After Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi dominated the first leg at the Nou Camp, Barcelona arrived at Anfield brimming with confidence.
Divock Origi's early goal ignited the thunderous Anfield atmosphere. Georginio Wijnaldum's quickfire double early in the second half pulled Liverpool level. Then, Trent Alexander-Arnold's ingenious quick corner allowed Origi to score the 79th-minute winner, dumping Messi and Barcelona out of the competition. This dramatic comeback propelled Liverpool to victory over Tottenham in the final.
1. Barcelona vs PSG (Round of 16, 2016-17)
First leg: PSG 4-0 Barcelona
Second leg: Barcelona 6-1 PSG (Barcelona win 6-5 on aggregate)
Barcelona's 6-1 comeback against PSG in 2017 arguably represents the greatest turnaround in Champions League history. After a 4-0 thrashing in Paris, Barcelona needed a miracle at the Nou Camp, inspired by the majestic trio of Suarez, Messi, and Neymar.
Suarez, an own goal, and Messi brought Barcelona to 4-3 by half-time, but Edinson Cavani's strike on the hour seemed to crush their hopes. Needing three goals in the final moments, Neymar scored twice in quick succession—an 88th-minute free-kick and a 90th-minute penalty. Sergi Roberto then etched his name into history with a 95th-minute winner, lifting the roof off the Nou Camp in an astonishing comeback that may never be replicated.
