Liverpool showed a convincing performance to beat Villarreal 2-0 in the first match of the semifinals of the Champions League at Anfield.
After the first half without goals, an own goal by Pervis Estupinan in the 53rd minute led to a breakthrough, before Sadio Mane added a second just two minutes later to take the lead.
This was well deserved, as Unai Emery’s team struggled to keep Liverpool all the time and Jurgen Klopp will be confident that he will reach another final in the Champions League.
Player rating
Liverpool Alison (6), Alexander-Arnold (7), Konate (7), Van Dyke (7), Robertson (8), Henderson (8), Fabinho (7), Tiago (8), Salah (8), Manet 8), Diaz (8).
Subs: Kate (6), Giotto (6), Gomez (6), Origi (6).
Villarreal: Ruli (4), Voith (6), Albiol (6), Torres (6), Estupanin (5), Parejo (6), Capua (6), Coquelin (5), Chuquuese (6), Lo Celso (6) , Groeneveld (6).
Subs: Pedraza (6), Trigeros (6), Dia (6), Orie (6), Ibora (6).
Match player: Tiago.
Liverpool had too much for Villarreal
Liverpool attacked from the start with the best chance for the first 45 minutes to fall to Manet in the beginning. He could only with a header from Mohamed Salah’s cross.
As Villarreal defended deeply, it required pressure and patience, Luis Diaz harassed the opposition, and Tiago set the pace with more and more impressive passes.
Exhausted ideas at the end of the half, Tiago let fly from a distance and hit the crossbar. It was as close as Liverpool came before the split with Villarreal.
Still pushing, there was a brief excitement at the start of the second half when Fabinho put the ball in the back of the net from close range, but Virgil van Dyke was offside in the accumulation.
But the expectant Anfield didn’t have to wait much longer.
Team news
Liverpool have made three changes over the weekend, with Luis Diaz, Ibrahim Konate and Jordan Henderson being sent off.
Image: Jordan Henderson’s blocked cross gave Liverpool the lead in the second half
The breakout goal was ugly when it came, Jordan Henderson’s cross from the right jumped over swinging Jeronimo Rully after he bounced off Estupinan’s leg.
This seems to undermine Villarreal’s determination, as at times Manet put the ball into the net from close range when the enterprising Salah broke through.
There were still half chances with the impressive Diaz, who had an effort to deflect, but the match was played without further incident, Alison was not tested and the superiority of the hosts was clear.
Villarreal fans dressed in yellow were a colorful addition to the city, enjoying their trip to Liverpool – and the semi-finals. But there was nothing to cheer them up at first.
This Liverpool team just looks too good. Who can stop them now?
Man of the match: Tiago
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Thiago Alcantara is happy with his recent form, as Liverpool won the first match of the Champions League semi-final against Villarreal with 2: 0
Make no mistake, Liverpool have been great all along. But it didn’t feel like a coincidence that the first goal of the match came after a trademark fall from their brilliant midfielder. Tiago escaped from his marker, accelerating the attack. The goal followed.
At the end of the first half, he had executed his warning shot with his rough long-range shot, which shot to the corner, only to bounce off the corner of the crossbar and crossbar. Tiago exudes quality and that quality was too much for Villarreal at night.
The temptation was to think it was only a matter of time, it felt that way. But patience is only rewarded if the team continues to look for weaknesses. “It’s not just about patience, it’s about finding gaps,” Tiago said afterward. He finds them.
Klopp: It’s only half time
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Although he won the first 2-0 match against Villarreal, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says his team still has work to do if they want to reach the Champions League final.
Speaking afterwards, Klopp was pleased with the performance of his players. “The way we played, the way we defended very well, the way we attacked very well. We had to score goals. It was clear that we had to move on.
“Villarreal, at a time when they can get out of the press, they are an immediate threat. If we don’t win the ball there, we’re in between. We’ve done well most of the time.”
His mood was anything but triumphant. There were no fist celebrations in front of Cop at the last referee’s signal, aware that there are still 90 minutes in Spain.
“Two – zero in total, but this is the halftime. No more, no less.
“Nothing has happened yet. If you’re playing a game and you’re 2-0 at halftime, you have to be 100 percent alert. We know that we will go there and it will be a difficult atmosphere for us. If they beat us 2-0 there and go to the final, they deserve it.
“If they don’t, we deserve it.”
Liverpool win the statistics
- Liverpool have advanced in 13 of their previous 14 Champions League play-offs since winning their first game, losing to Bayer Leverkusen in 2002 after a 1-0 victory.
- Liverpool have won nine matches in the Champions League this season, the most matches they have won in a single campaign in the European competition.
- Villarreal tried only one shot in this match, and this shot did not reach the goal. This is the smallest joint shot from each side in the Champions League semifinals since data became available.
What next?
Liverpool’s busy schedule continues as they travel to Newcastle for the start of their Premier League lunch on Saturday, knowing they can’t afford to miss out if they want to catch Manchester City.
The rematch of this semifinal of the Champions League takes place on Tuesday night.
The other matches of Liverpool
April 30 – Newcastle United
May 3 – Villarreal (a), rematch of the semifinals of the Champions League
May 7 – Tottenham (h)
May 10 – Aston Villa, live on Sky Sports
May 14 – Chelsea (n), FA Cup final
May 17 – Southampton, live on Sky Sports
May 22 – Wolves (h)
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