Liverpool's cups truly runneth over. Playing in their 23rd cup tie of a marathon season, in their sixth game in a month of April only 19 days old, Gerard Houllier's re-invented and re-invigorated team last night made it to their third cup final in a knock-out season. They will meet more Spanish opposition in Dortmund in May in the shape of Alaves.
So a unique treble is on, though Houllier afterwards once again stressed the significance of winning a Champions League place. While enjoying the win, Houllier said that Sunday's Premiership match against Tottenham was "maybe more important than this. I want us to finish third.
"But we're progressing tactically, physically and tonight we have beaten probably one of the best sides in Europe. I think the fans and the atmosphere was fantastic. The players had a desire and a determination not to lose. I think at times Barcelona were superior to us, you have to admit that, but I was pleased we kept extremely controlled. The two centre-halves were outstanding." The assessment was as accurate as Gary McAllister's 44th minute penalty.
Nor, last night, was victory achieved against clubs of the stature Birmingham City or Wycombe Wanderers, this was against one of the continent's greatest names. As such it was Liverpool's best European night for 17 years.
It was tight, really tight, but what else to expect from a side led by Rivaldo on his 29th birthday. It did not go to penalties, though it was decided by one, McAllister's precise conversion following a needless handball aberration by Patrick Kluivert. That, allied to some stern defence from Sami Hyypia and Stephane Henchoz, was sufficient to repel the Catalan giants.
Their season thus becomes one of massive underachievement and a mass exit is expected. Only Rivaldo, Luis Enrique and occasionally Marc Overmars did themselves justice here.
The tension was palpable but the evening ended as it had begun - with a full-throated rendition of the club anthem. It was spine-tingling stuff.
Even well before kick-off it had felt like it was going to be one of those atmospheric Anfield nights. As the Barcelona team bus squeezed through the tight streets around the ground it was chased by adoring Barca fans. Liverpool's supporters watched on bemused. Rivaldo stared menacingly from the bus. It wasn't a birthday greeting.
Maybe the famous Brazilian was rather more touched by the rousing version of You'll Never Walk Alone belted out as the teams stood in the tunnel. It was such that the Barcelona directors held their mobile phones in the air to relay the noise back to friends at home.
It set about living up to its billing quickly. Rivaldo began it in the eighth minute with a breathtakingly powerful shot from about 40 yards that had the Kop gasping at its ferocity and Sander Westerveld relieved to be able to apply the thinnest of touches to tip it over for a corner. "Man U scumbag," was one Scouse comment directed at Rivaldo.
But if he was looking inspired, then Liverpool were similarly stimulated. Three minutes later the Reds should have taken the lead when a clever dummy and pass from Vladimir Smicer put Michael Owen through on the edge of the Barcelona box. Owen's first touch was first was poor, however, the ball ran away from him and Jose Reina was able to partially smother the ball as Owen slid in.
At least Liverpool had mounted an attack, something they had not managed in the 0-0 first leg in the Nou Camp. Two more soon followed, Hyypia sending a header straight at Reina from a McAllister corner, then Smicer doing the same after Emile Heskey had turned and twisted in the area. Heskey was behaving with rather more aggression than usual.
Barcelona did try to spread the play, whenever possible seeking out Luis Enrique on the right and he came close to opening the scoring in the 33rd minute, driving a low shot inches wide.
Steven Gerrard was a peripheral figure at that stage, but in the last five minutes of the first half he asserted himself, first with a superb run past Emmanuel Petit and Josep Guardiola that culminated with Gerrard going to earth in the box. There were loud shouts for a penalty at that.
They were ignored by referee Zuger, but when Kluivert inexplicably flapped a hand at a McAllister corner following another Gerrard probe soon after, the referee did not hesitate in pointing to the spot.
In the absence of Robbie Fowler, who missed a penalty against Everton on Monday, McAllister took the kick and stroked it high past Reina.
That meant there could be no extra-time but it also left Barcelona still needing just an equaliser to go through to the final on away goals. Kluivert, now bent on redemption, almost provided it with a fine cross-shot. Westerveld then did his best to aid his fellow Dutchman, running out to clear a Petit pass Kluivert was chasing; Westerveld completely missed the ball and was lucky to see it dribble out of play before Kluivert could catch it.
Liverpool were sitting back, encouraging Barcelona to attack. Barca tried, but Liverpool stood tall. Three cheers to them for that.
LIVERPOOL: Westerveld, Babbel, Henchoz, Hyypia, Carragher, Gerrard (Murphy 78), Hamann, McAllister, Smicer (Fowler 80), Heskey, Owen (Berger 63). Subs Not Used: Arphexad, Ziege, Vignal, Wright. Booked: Westerveld. Goals: McAllister 45 pen.
BARCELONA: Reina, Reiziger (Simao 59), de Boer, Puyol, Petit, Luis Enrique, Cocu, Guardiola , Overmars (Dani 74), Rivaldo, Kluivert. Subs Not Used: Dutruel, De la Pena, Xavi, Gabri, Zenden. Booked: Simao.
Referee: U Meier (Switzerland).
