Champions, Liverpool-Villarreal 2-0: own goal by Estupinan, goal by Manè

A time to work on Villarreal’s hips, three minutes to lay him down. Liverpool mortgages the Champions League final by beating the Spaniards with Estupinan’s own goal on Henderson’s cross shot and Manè’s goal between 53 ‘and 55’ after the sterile domination of the first 45 minutes, concluded with 14 shots to zero, but with only one real great chance, Thiago Alcantara’s crossing of the goalposts hit by thirty meters. The one-two cut off the legs of Emery’s team, who had defended themselves with order but then struggled to contain the red tide. Next Tuesday the return to Spain, but the games seem to be made considering the difference seen at Anfield.

first half

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Villarreal without Gerard Moreno, stopped by a muscle problem, Emery launches the hero of Monaco Chukwueze. The Reds are in the twelfth semifinal of the Champions League, in the previous 11, they have gone to the final 9 times. Liverpool, as expected, start by pressing their opponents high. At 8 ‘the first chance on a corner, with the dampened ball that ends up on Manè’s feet, but his touch is weak and he is deflected again for a corner by a defender. It is again the Senegalese who misses the advantage in the 12th minute on Salah’s assist, but he gets too far under the ball and puts it to the side from his chest. Luis Diaz from outside engages Rulli who blocks in two halves but the pressing of Liverpool is suffocating. At 27 ‘Salah tries the magic with a shot that touches the intersection of the posts. It is a Reds monologue but the Spaniards hold up well the impact, even if they are unable to restart.

The first yellow arrives and it is for Van Dijk who knocks out Chukwueze to avoid a dangerous restart. Then it is still up to Manè to have the 1-0 ball on his feet but Albiol’s thigh deviation is providential. At 35 ‘splendid action by the hosts: a cross from Alexander-Arnold and – always on the fly – Salah puts it high. We are 12 shots to zero, but only two in the mirror. At 42 ‘the best chance for Liverpool: a great blow from 30 meters by Thiago Alcantara that goes to print at the intersection of the posts. But at rest it is 0-0.

recovery

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The first yellow card for Villarreal also arrives for Estupinan’s foul on Salah but the punishment does not bear fruit. At 52 ‘Liverpool pass, Henderson’s cross shot which Estupinan deflects, putting Rulli out. Deserved advantage. A minute passes and the Reds double: Salah’s wonderful filtering touch with Manè extending it behind the Villarreal goalkeeper. In two minutes Liverpool reaped what was sown in the first 45. Now the Yellow Submarine risks sinking under the blows of Klopp’s boys, unleashed. It is then Van Dijk and Luis Diaz who are close to 3-0. At 72 ‘Manè comes out, not exactly happy for the substitution, Klopp puts in Diogo Jota in place of him, with Henderson giving way to Keita. The Reds control with ease in the final and go to Spain with two goals, one step away from the tenth Champions League final of their glorious history.