Jurgen Klopp has compared Liverpool's victory against Villarreal to their famous European comebacks against Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund.
The Reds recovered from 2-0 down to beat Villarreal 3-2 in Spain on Tuesday evening. The result completed a 5-2 aggregate triumph for Klopp's side, helping them reach this month's Champions League final in Paris - their third under the German's management.
Liverpool suffered a 3-0 defeat to Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final three years ago before winning the return game 4-0. They went on to defeat Tottenham 2-0 in Madrid's showpiece event to lift their sixth European crown.
And Klopp's side recovered from 4-1 down on aggregate to beat Dortmund 5-4 in their Europa League quarter-final in 2015-16. The Reds scored three goals in the last 24 minutes, including a last-minute winner. They went on to lose 3-1 to Sevilla in the final.
Although Liverpool were never behind in their Champions League tie against Villarreal, many fans were fearing the worst when the Spanish minnows levelled the aggregate score. Klopp has praised his players for wrestling back the momentum.
"I think tonight is on par with other comebacks like the one against Dortmund or Barcelona," said Klopp at full-time. "It was incredible to come back from 2-0 down when it looked like a third goal for them was more likely.
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"When the second half started I saw that we were doing well, but we had to score. I've seen a lot of games but reacting how we've reacted here was incredible."
Liverpool's recovery coincided with the introduction of Luis Diaz, who replaced Diogo Jota at half-time. The Colombian, who arrived at Anfield in January, scored the second goal and received the Player of the Match award for his efforts in Spain.
"He [Diaz] was fantastic," former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch told BT Sport. "The moment he came on he was getting at players. He was a complete game-changer. In the final, he starts. He's come in and invigorated the whole dressing room. I spoke to Jurgen Klopp about him and he says he enjoys his football every day."
Reds icon Michael Owen added: "I have never seen a player hit the ground running like him. Playing in different leagues, not speaking the language. To pick up the way Liverpool play so quickly is unbelievable. He's starting the final for sure."
Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson was also keen to praise Diaz. "He's been special," said the Scotland captain. "We've helped him as much as we can. We've tried to get him up to speed. He is a special player, he fits us perfectly with his will to win."
Fellow defender Virgil van Dijk added: "The way he goes one versus one is amazing. It doesn't matter who he is against, he just goes at them. If he loses the ball he wins it right back and goes again. It's very hard to defend against."
