Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp evoked memories of their famous win over Barcelona in 2019 during their "thunderstorm" second-half comeback to beat Luton 4-1.
Trailing to Chiedozie Ogbene's 12th-minute header, Klopp’s side were a different prospect after the break with Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz and Harvey Elliott bringing up 100 goals for the season.
While it by no means matched the magnitude of their Champions League semi-final comeback after losing the first leg 3-0 to the Catalan giants, it was significant in terms of the title race – re-establishing a four-point lead over Manchester City – and the invigorating atmosphere which the team will undoubtedly have to lean on during the run-in.
"Tonight is one of those nights where it is difficult to stop talking. I am so happy," said Klopp, who was without 11 first-team players, including forwards Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez, who remain doubtful for Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Chelsea.
"We had to ignore the fact we were 1-0 down and use the things that are good and improve the counter-press. The second half was a thunderstorm. Wow.
"I will mention this game from now quite a few times. I promised my team a few months ago that I would never mention or use the Barcelona game as an example and I used it again today so I broke my promise.
"Just because before the game, it was kind of similar. Many players missing, stuff like this. The team that time ignored the fact who is missing and I want us to ignore the fact who is missing.
"That is difficult because the public got the whole knowledge of who is missing only tonight. It’s like…I needed a few minutes to process it when I got all the news.
"But from that moment on, when you know how you can deal with it and sort it for this game, it feels really good. That is what I wanted the boys to show.
"This is an example tonight. This is their Barcelona, now against Luton. A difficult situation, plenty of reasons to give up in moments: not tonight and I saw only a super group fighting.
"If you don’t limit yourself with bad thoughts, you can fly. And that’s what the boys did."
Luton head coach Rob Edwards, whose side were impressive in the first half, admitted scoring so early just made their task harder.
"We just made them angry," he said. "Overall it was a really good first half. Second half I thought we saw Anfield, saw Liverpool, saw their full-throttle football. Their counter-pressing football was amazing.
"In the end, it was a great learning curve for us to see what the best looks like. I know they had some players missing, but their second-half performance was like the best out there.
"I thought we were very, very good. They were better."
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk admits the team was probably guilty of trying too hard to compensate for the absence of a host of star players.
Liverpool's bench comprised three defenders and four academy players and the likes of Harvey Elliott and Cody Gakpo, and to a lesser extent Luis Diaz, all struggled up front in the first half, before cutting loose to re-establish a four-point advantage at the top of the Premier League.
Klopp's side have won now 22 points from losing positions this season, more than any other team.
"First half with the very first chance (for Diaz) we could have changed the game, but we were a bit rushed in the final third," said Van Dijk.
"Obviously the way we turned it around was credit to the boys.
"Staying calm is the most difficult thing to do, especially in the situation where we are at; everyone wants to show themselves and play their best game ever, and you have to try to stay calm and find the right solution.
"The first half was a bit rushed and that’s why we struggled a little bit in that sense. Being 1-0 down is never nice, but the way we bounced back is good to see."
Elliott, on his 100th appearance, scored the team’s 100th goal of the season with the late fourth to end his night on a high after coming in for some vociferous criticism from the crowd.
However, Klopp – who remonstrated with a fan who appeared to target Elliott after yet another pass went astray in the first half – defended the 20-year-old.
"Top performance. And Harvey is a top player; 100 games for Liverpool FC in not the worst period of the club’s history, where you cannot afford players who (just) play the position, that’s a proper sign," he added.
"He had not a great first half. There was a pass with Lucho (Diaz); I saw he wants to play the pass instead of maybe he can go in a one-on-one situation.
"But the reaction in the second half is the main difference, that’s the thing. That made this performance the performance and I’m so happy for him.
"I don’t lose patience in these moments, I know that it’s a challenge for young boys.
"When everything is great, they are super talents. When things don’t go well, you have to show up. And that’s what he’s learning more and more.
"And with 100 games under his belt, we all know he will definitely play another 100, 200, 300 – if you ask him, 500 – for this club."
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