Then, slowly but surely, Liverpool began retaining possession and their composure and started to expose a Barcelona defence that soon gave the visitors reason for encouragement.
Arbeloa was hacked down by Juliano Belletti on 39 minutes and, when Gerrard swung in the free-kick from the left to the far post, Bellamy stole in unmarked but headed wastefully into the side-netting from a matter of yards. However, the Welshman didn’t make the same mistake again four minutes later.
A short free-kick by Alonso found Finnan in space on the right and, from the Irishman’s precise cross, Bellamy powered a diving header towards goal that Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes failed to prevent crossing the line, with Kuyt finishing off just to make sure.
As in the first half, Liverpool started the quicker after the interval and Gerrard struck a 25-yard free-kick at Valdes after Momo Sissoko, an imposing presence throughout, had been fouled.
Although the attendance neared capacity, the Nou Camp was a far from intimidating venue. Nevertheless, Greek referee Kyros Vassaras appeared to be affected by the evening and frustrated Liverpool’s players with what could be described as some generous officiating towards the Catalan hosts.
But Liverpool’s equaliser had rocked Barcelona and, with Ronaldinho well shackled, the visitors should have capitalised on 67 minutes. Valdes stupidly picked up a backpass from substitute Ludovic Giuly inside the area and, after the goalkeeper redeemed himself by parrying clear Gerrard’s driven free-kick, from the same attack Kuyt headed against the crossbar from less than six yards. That sparked Barca into life and Liverpool escaped when Saviola jinked his way into space and forced Reina into a save, with Messi’s follow-up deflected over by Arbeloa.
However, on 74 minutes Liverpool moved ahead with a goal that again exposed the shoddy home defence.
Kuyt challenged Valdes to a throughball and, after Rafael Marquez’s woeful attempted clearance fell at the feet of Bellamy, the striker showed presence of mind to slide the ball across for Riise to slam home. And yes folks, that replay showed the Norwegian really did score with his right foot.
Barcelona then threw everything forward in search of an equaliser. Reina raced out to brilliantly block from Saviola after Alonso had inadvertently put the Argentine in the clear and Deco struck the outside of the post with an inswinging free-kick, but Liverpool deservedly held on for a famous victory.
BARCELONA (4-3-3): Valdes; Belletti, Marquez, Puyol, Zambrotta; Xavi (Giuly 65), Motta (Iniesta 55), Deco; Messi, Saviola (Gudjohnsen 83), Ronaldinho. Subs: Jorquera, Thuram, Oleguer, van Bronckhorst.
BOOKINGS: Belletti and Zambrotta (both fouls).
LIVERPOOL (4-4-2): Reina; Finnan, Carragher, Agger, Arbeloa; Gerrard, Sissoko (Zenden 84), Alonso, Riise; Bellamy (Pennant 80), Kuyt (Crouch 90). Subs: Dudek, Hyypia, Mascherano, Gonzalez.
BOOKINGS: Agger and Kuyt (both fouls), Sissoko (dissent).
REFEREE: Kyros Vassaras (Greece).
ATT: 94,000.
NEXT GAME: Liverpool v Sheffield United, Barclays Premiership, Saturday, February 24, kick-off 3pm
