‘Genius’ Alexander-Arnold sends Liverpool through with incredible quick-thinking corner to Origi against sleeping Barcelona

TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD claimed it was pure instinct as he was dubbed a football “Einstein” for the “best corner” ever to set up Liverpool’s winner against Barcelona.

The right-back said he just seized “one of those moments” as his quick kick found Divock Origi wide awake and Barca‘s defence fast asleep, enabling the two-goal striker to seal a 4-0 win in a sensational 4-3 Champions League semi-final aggregate triumph.

Reuters

Social media was as gobsmacked by Alexander-Arnold‘s “genius” thinking as the Spanish champions.

But the England star, 20, told BT Sport: “It was just instinctive.

“It was just one of those moments where you see the opportunity.

“Divock was switched on and finished it off. It probably came at him a bit fast but he is a top player.

“He scored two goals for us tonight and everyone will remember this moment.”

Origi, playing in the absence of regular strikers Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino, added: “We did so well. We knew it was going to be a special night.

“We wanted to fight for the injured guys. It is hard to describe, it is just special.

“We fought so hard until the end. It shows our mix of talent and hard work.”

Twitter saluted Alexander-Arnold’s “intelligence and vision” as he slotted the ball in for Origi to sweep home, putting Liverpool in dreamland while Barcelona dozed.

One fan said: “I think Liverpool have to build a statue in Alexander-Arnold’s honour after this .”

Another labelled him a “soccering Einstein” for what fellow tweeters variously rated as a “masterpiece” and the finest corner in history.

Squawka Football pointed out that Alexander-Arnold’s corner means, rather fittingly, he now has more assists for Liverpool this season than any other player – 14.

And after Lionel Messi seemed to have killed off Liverpool with a brilliant free-kick to clinch Barca’s 3-0 first leg win last week, tonight it was a local Merseyside lad who cornered the praise for deadball expertise.