After a decade-long absence, Liverpool have returned to the semi-final stage of the Champions League.

The Reds fought back from a goal down to beat Manchester City 2-1 on Tuesday - a remarkable turnaround that sealed a resounding 5-1 aggregate win in their all-Premier League last-eight tie.

So, with the dust having settled on an unforgettable evening at Etihad Stadium, we’ve picked out six things we loved about the game…

An explosion of relief and elation

Following a first half in which Liverpool were forced to batten down the hatches to weather the ‘thunderstorm’ Jürgen Klopp had foreseen, the visitors emerged from the break a different team.

Bolder, braver, more aggressive - the Reds were unwilling to be subjected to another 45 minutes of unyielding City pressure.

First, a foothold was established. And then Mohamed Salah did a passable impression of Kenny Dalglish. 

His momentum took him towards the away end and he stood there, arms outstretched in front of the unbridled mayhem, alone for a moment before being mobbed by his teammates. 

It’s a celebration that will live long in the memory.

Dominant Dejan

‘Take a walk around my centre-half, gentlemen, he’s a colossus!’

Bill Shankly wasn’t talking about Dejan Lovren after Tuesday’s game, obviously, but it would be remiss not to borrow one of the legendary Scot’s most famous lines to describe the club’s current No.6’s indomitable display at the Etihad.

Ninety minutes played, 10 clearances, three tackles. While it took an immense collective effort to keep City at bay in that first half, Lovren was the leader of Liverpool’s stoicism and duly claimed the Man of the Match award.

‘Allez, allez, allez’

With the job done, Klopp and his players made a beeline for the away end.

Having spent the 90 minutes being cajoled and supported relentlessly by the travelling hordes of Liverpool fans, now it was time for some mutual appreciation.

As ‘Allez, Allez, Allez’ boomed out, Klopp and members of his squad watched on, grinned and clapped along. As the video above shows, the manager appeared reluctant to leave the pitch, reluctant to allow the moment to pass.

He and the players eventually did walk back towards the dressing room - serenaded all the way, of course.

‘We’ve conquered all of Europe, we’re never gonna stop…’

Klopp salutes ‘outstanding’ birthday boy

“He is in an outstanding moment. It was his birthday today and he gave himself the best present with a fantastic performance. He is so important for us.”

Klopp couldn’t speak highly enough of Sadio Mane post-match.

While the other two members of Liverpool’s lethal front three grabbed the goals and the headlines, Mane’s contribution was highlighted by his manager.

“Mo scored the first goal and we love the boy, all good, but the hard work that Bobby Firmino and Sadio did on offensive wings [was important]. That’s how football should be.

“Sadio Mane is in outstanding shape in the moment and that obviously helps us a lot.”

‘Bit better result tonight…’

It’s fair to say April 10, 2018, will live longer in Andy Robertson’s memory than April 10, 2013.

After another indefatigable performance had helped Liverpool into the last four of Europe’s elite club competition, the left-back was reminded on social media that, five years ago to the day, he’d played in front of just 242 people in Queen’s Park’s 2-0 defeat to Annan Athletic.

Robertson’s reply was as understated as it was amusing…

Giving something back

It’s unlikely the young Liverpool fan in the photo below would have forgotten last night in a hurry anyway, but surely the memory will never fade now after Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain gave him his shirt.