It’s one thing to be a hot favorite, it’s another to make it count. Liverpool took a significant step towards their 10th final of the European Cup in one night, when they refused to lose sight of their plan; what brought them to the point where it is possible to be an unprecedented quadruple.
Villarreal is disappointed. This was an approach that had worked in previous rounds, helping them organize stunning robberies to send Juventus and Bayern Munich. With an empty score in the interval, Unai Emery, the manager, had to feel that he was part of the road to further robbery.
Liverpool remained cool. They continued to press the front leg, to manipulate the ball, only with more tempo, more feeling. And they blew the door with two explosions in quick succession, the first when Jordan Henderson’s cross deflected the unfortunate Pervis Estunian to escape from goalkeeper Jeronimo Rully, transferring him to the far corner.
This was the first time Liverpool had made a real overlap, and by shaking Villarreal, they unloaded what seemed like a showdown. Emery’s team was adamant in the first half, unyielding. Now they watched Mohamed Salah take a pass from Trent Alexander-Arnold and turn around, his eyes wide, sensing opportunity.
Sadio Mane felt it too. He made his move, Salah turned it on, stabbing a pass through Pau Torres’ legs, and Manet stretched to get the finish line as quickly as possible before anyone could get close to him. The ball slid low past Ruley.
Villarreal’s traveling team was determined to enjoy the occasion and what the occasion was for them. This is a club that did not play the highest football in Spain until 1998-99; it is a city whose population could fit in Anfield. The seventh team in La Liga, Villarreal won only one big trophy – the Europa League last season. It was one of the great stories of David against Goliath at this stage of the Champions League.
Cross by Jordan Henderson deviates from Pervis Estupanian (left) and defeats goalkeeper Jeronimo Ruli. Photo: Carl Resin / Action Images / Reuters
The 3,000 traveling fans applauded their team to the beams during the match and after the full-time whistle, but it feels like a long way back in the rematch next Tuesday, despite the provocative talk from their locker room. Liverpool missed only one result, which is significant from January 2 – a 2-2 draw in the Premier League in Manchester City on April 10. They have not lost by two goals all season.
Liverpool had to be patient after their initial efforts failed. Maybe they did. Manet failed to control himself after Ibrahima Konate left with a header from a corner – the ball came quickly to him – but the big chance in the early stages came when Salah took a pass from Manet on the right and looked up. Mane burst in, Salah’s cross was perfect, but the header was wrong.
The Emery team – compact in their 4-4-2 system – barely crossed the half, but that was because Liverpool didn’t let them, their pressing game usually suffocating. For Villarreal, it was about blocks and fights, keeping fit.
Emery, who beat Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp with Sevilla in the Europa League final in 2016, could be proud of the composure his players showed on the ball at times in the first half as they tried to play. But Liverpool had more chances.
Sadio Mane celebrates after scoring Liverpool’s second goal. Photo: Tom Jenkins / Guardian
Salah twisted from the target, Manet spun around and saw a shot deflect as Salah raised a high volley. He was chosen by the magnificent Alexander-Arnold cut with a volley after a diagonal by Andy Robertson. Thiago Alcantara also shook up 30 yards.
Villarreal is spiritually committed to Liverpool. Their nickname Yellow Submarine comes from the color of their shirts and the tune of Liverpool’s most famous band. The Beatles released it in 1966, and in the 1967-68 season a group of Villarreal fans began playing it at their club’s matches on a battery-powered turntable.
The Anfield crowd didn’t feel much of a connection, but football is a game of style and Liverpool had to overcome that. They found a way in the second half.
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Fabinho saw a goal ruled out after a corner, Virgil van Dyke headed towards him from an offside position and was lucky for the breakthrough goal, even if Liverpool claim they scored it themselves. After moving from left to right, Henderson took a pass from Salah and Estupinyan’s shot was decisive.
When Manet rushed in, he could be afraid of Villarreal, Liverpool could feel blood. Robertson had the ball in the net, only to be pulled offside, Van Dyke worked with Ruley and Louis Diaz twice approached. Two goals seemed enough to me.
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