Liverpool produce stunning fightback to down Dortmund

LONDON: Liverpool added another fairytale comeback to their history books as they fought back from 3-1 down against Borussia Dortmund to reach the Europa League semi-finals after Dejan Lovren`s stoppage-time winner secured a 4-3 win on Thursday.

Lovren rose at the far post to head home in the first minute of added time, recalling memories of Liverpool`s 2005 Champions League final comeback against AC Milan and propelling them into the last four with a 5-4 aggregate victory.

Liverpool will be joined in Friday`s draw by Villarreal, who beat Sparta Prague 4-2 and 6-3 over two the legs and Shakhtar Donetsk who won 4-0 at home to Braga to complete a 6-1 aggregate triumph. 

Holders Sevilla, bidding for a third straight title, were taken to extra time by Spanish rivals Athletic Bilbao. 

Liverpool`s victory at Anfield was greeted by typically exuberant celebrations from manager Juergen Klopp, who spent seven years at Dortmund and would have been no stranger to the quick-fire counter attacks that earned the visitors a 2-0 lead.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had seemingly given Dortmund an unassailable advantage, before Liverpool gained a foothold when Divock Origi poked home early in the second half.

Their spirits were swiftly dampened, however, when Marco Reus made it 3-1 after 57 minutes, before hope was restored through Philippe Coutinho`s curling effort.

The Anfield roar then went into overdrive when Mamadou Sakho levelled with 12 minutes remaining and the final blow was delivered when Lovren rose to head James Milner`s cross into the net.