The Reds beat Villarreal, who arrived at Anfield with the nickname ‘Giant Killers’, 2-0 in the Champions League semi-final first leg. A victory just for the seductive game offered by Jürgen Klopp’s men. The rematch will be played on May 3.
In the country of the Beatles, the Yellow Submarine did not resist. The Villarreal illusion suffered a reality check against Liverpool, one of the most in-form teams in Europe’s top flight. In the Anfield boiler, which becomes even more magical on Champions League evenings, the Reds have taken an important step towards the final on May 28, in Saint-Denis. They beat the Spaniards 2-0, a prize for patience and pace.
Jürgen Klopp’s team does not hesitate to wear the candidate’s costume. It is not for nothing that he aspires to poker (winning four titles in the season, he already has one). From the start, he assumed his role in the game: to propose and control the ball. The visit, with the giant killer moniker in tow (previously eliminated from Juventus and Bayern Munich), came with huge expectations at being in this case for the first time since 2006, when Manuel Pellegrini’s team did it, who ended up staying against Arsenal. Unai Emery’s men held out for less than an hour.
Liverpool expanded the pitch to go further and try to generate the spaces that Villarreal closed to them. Indeed, during several passages of the duel the 11 yellows were in their camp. The English played a great game, but entered the break without converting. Salah and Mane had options against Argentine Rulli’s goal but they didn’t materialize. It was only a matter of time before the scales tipped on Klopp’s side, as the difference from cast to cast was significant.
Possession of the ball marked a clear trend in favor of the Reds (he finished at 73%), while Villarreal failed to generate work for Brazilian Alisson Becker. Crucial fact: the first and only shot on goal took place in the 86th minute, and it was an offside. Hopefully, Liverpool opened the account. At minute 53, a cross from Jordan Henderson deflected Pervis Estupiñán and escaped Gerónimo Rulli. The ex-Real Sociedad goalkeeper put his hand in to try and get him off, but he couldn’t. Ecstasy for the red captain, shouting the goal as if he was the author, but UEFA attributed it to the Ecuadorian counter. Finally the knot was untied.
And the table improved again a few minutes later, with Sadio Mané 2-0, who defined with a touch in front of the goalkeeper after a notable filtered pass from Mohamed Salah. It was the right price for the team that showed a clear intention to win and show attractive football. Half an hour from the end, the result was predictable. In terms of competitiveness, Manchester City’s eventful 4-3 against Real Madrid was not repeated, yet the casting of the German Klopp provided tickets for records.
The rematch, in Spain, will be played on May 3 and it should be remembered that the visitor goals factor no longer runs. At the same time, the English do not take their eyes off the Premier League, in which they are fighting for the crown with Pep Guardiola’s City.
follow on Jock
Source: Latercera
I am Sandra Jackson, a journalist and content creator with extensive experience in the news industry. I have been working in the news media for over five years. During this time, I have worked as an author and editor at various outlets producing high-quality content that attracts readers from different demographics.
