Steve Kerr knows a thing or two about comebacks.
The Warriors head coach has been on both sides of three-games-to-one series reversals, seeing his Dubs roar back to beat the Thunder in seven games during the Western Conference finals. Then, Kerr's vaunted Warriors fumbled away the same series lead to the Cavaliers in the 2016 NBA Finals, as LeBron James and Kyrie Irving broke Golden State's heart.
As far as comebacks go, those are near the top of the list for greatest comebacks in history. While impressive, another comeback sticks in Kerr's mind. One that occurred half the world away.
On May 7, 2019, Kerr's beloved Liverpool entered the second leg of their UEFA Champions League semifinal against Spanish soccer giant Barcelona needing to win by four goals to erase a three-goal aggregate deficit and advance to the finals. The Reds stunned Kerr and the rest of the soccer world when they netted three second-half goals to win 4-0 and knock off Barcelona.
Kerr watched the game on the Warriors' team flight home from Houston following their Game 4 loss to the Rockets in the West semis. He wasn't expecting the outcome, but it is something he'll never forget.
.@warriors head coach @SteveKerr talks with Rog about his love for @LFC, @MoSalah and how he experienced the team's 4 - 0 Champions League triumph over Barcelona. Men in Blazers Steve Kerr Special airs Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on NBCSN after #LIVMCI. @NBCSportsSoccer @NBCSAuthentic pic.twitter.com/0legRnv4lZ— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) November 6, 2019
Sports
"I'm going in thinking, no chance," Kerr told Roger Bennett on The Men in Blazers Steve Kerr special that will air Sunday at Noon on NBC Sports Network. "But I'm going to watch. They have to win by four against one of the great teams ever. When it was one-nil at half I'm thinking, 'OK, if they can get a quick one, now it gets interesting.' And they got that quick one. So now, all of a sudden, we're all crowded around the computer. What ensued over the next 40 minutes was one of the great sporting events I have ever watched in my life. it was incredible."
Liverpool is one of the most prestigious clubs in European soccer. It's a loaded bandwagon, but Kerr hopped on due to his appreciation for star striker Mo Salah.
"I chose Liverpool, I'm sorry," Kerr told Bennett, who is a longtime supporter of Everton F.C. "It had everything to do with Mo Salah and his Egyptian roots. I have a soft spot for Egypt. It's a wonderful country. That's my guy, Liverpool is my team."
[RELATED: Warriors-Rocket rivalry has different feel with young Dubs]
Kerr's Warriors might need to take a lesson from the grit shown by Liverpool during its epic comeback.
After years at the top, the Dubs are in a season of transition. Kevin Durant left the Bay for the Nets, while Steph Curry (broken hand), Klay Thompson (torn ACL) and Draymond Green (torn finger ligament) have suffered injuries and will miss some of or, in Thompson's case, all of the season.
You can watch The Men in Blazers Steve Kerr special Sunday, Nov. 10 at Noon PT on NBC Sports Network.
