Liverpool beating Barcelona can inspire Newport County's play-off push

County are the underdogs for the semi-final against a Mansfield team who just missed out on automatic promotion.

And, ahead of tomorrow night’s first leg at Rodney Parade, Flynn will use the example of Liverpool overturning a 3-0 deficit to beat favourites Barcelona as his side also looks to upset the odds.

“Even Jurgen Klopp thought it was nigh-on impossible,” said Flynn as he reflected on the Anfield miracle.

“For me, it’s probably the biggest result in the history of the Champions League – even better than AC Milan in Istanbul.

“It’s an unbelievable achievement to beat a team who’ve got Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez and players like that 4-0.

“As a Liverpool fan, I’m buzzing.”

Flynn spent time observing a Klopp training session in March thanks to his friendship with Liverpool’s first team coach Pep Linders, who he met while both studied for their coaching badges with the FAW in Newport.

“A lot of things are quite similar to what we do,” said the Exiles boss.

“The togetherness, the way all the boys get on and treat each other with respect and treat everybody at the club with respect.

“I’m not trying to do what Jurgen Klopp does, I’m trying to do what Michael Flynn does.

“But if things are similar then I won’t be too disappointed with those comparisons because he’s one of the best managers in the world.

“The one thing I did take away was that I couldn’t believe how relaxed they all were.

“They were all enjoying training and being together and everybody was treated equally – from Mo Salah to Rhian Brewster – they were all exactly the same and they all got on.”

And Flynn insists that he and his players are not feeling the pressure this week.

“I’ve been quite relaxed lately,” he said. “I probably wasn’t at the end on Saturday at Morecambe, because we were waiting for the other result.

“It could have been the biggest damp squib if Exeter had scored at Forest Green.

“But leading up to it I was fine and I’m sure I’ll be fine ahead of these games.

“And the players are so relaxed. They take everything in their stride. They’re an absolute joy to work with. They make my job a lot easier.

“There are no egos, there’s a massive togetherness – probably the best I’ve seen throughout my career – and they just keep proving the doubters wrong.

“Let’s hope they do it another three times.”