For Daniel Sturridge, Roberto Firmino and Liverpool, an utterly priceless feeling. For Paris Saint-Germain, a lesson against the type of football and ethic that that money just can’t seem to buy. That was one of many differences between these teams and clubs, as Liverpool took control of their Champions League with a commanding – if nerve-shredding – 3-2 win.
It was not just that Jurgen Klopp’s side possessed a collective focus that the French champions did not. It was the spirit and resolve that led to that late Firmino goal.
That was very much the theme of the night: resilience, and resolve.
That goals so reflective of this bookended the scoring was appropriate. There was first of all the emotional way that Sturridge finally got that meaningful Champions League goal, as he remarkable made his first Champions League start for the club, but that as a mere stand-in for Roberto Firmino – in a decision that initially brought a lot of questions around Anfield.
There was then the way Firmino came on, to step up, and rescue a victory that looked to have been squandered, after a 2-0 lead had been squandered.
Liverpool however ultimately had a collective focus that PSG do not, even if they still don’t completely have the composed defence that Klopp would want.
Any complaints about that were however banished with the wider sense of frustration, blown away with Firmino’s thunderous strike to be replaced by a riveting feeling of optimism.
Sturridge’s goal wasn’t the only sign of resurgence, either.
As if to go with the occasion, and the opposition, Liverpool rose to it for their best spell of football of the season so far. There were moments of this up there with some of their best performances and nights from last season, not least the whirlwind that brought that 2-0 lead. This was what they subjected Manchester City and Roma, even if the force of the gales weren’t yet as fearsome.
Some of the attacking was still relentless, with that redemptive Sturridge opening goal a case in point.
It came from a long period when Liverpool were just powering and powering at PSG – Van Dijk having a shot turned away one corner, Milner another at the other corner – and eventually found themselves pushing the French champions right back to the by-line. There, Trent Alexander-Arnold whipped one cross over, and while that couldn’t quite inflict sufficient damage, the one that immediately followed did. It was admittedly supreme, as Robertson played the perfect cross for Sturridge to get that goal. There were no more questions about him, only joyous responses.
It was a nice little moment, and one that temporarily looked set to lead to a lot more goals. Within minutes, Juan Bernat had tripped Gini Wijnaldum, a penalty was given and Milner – of course – took the opportunity.
They’re rarely not perfect, just as his performances are rarely not exemplary.
Milner also looked the kind of player that PSG don’t have enough.
Because, at this point in the game, both sides were more than living up to wider perceptions.