Liverpool FC before the Champions League final: Villarreal FC defeated

Champions League

Jürgen Klopp and Liverpool FC didn’t let Villarreal’s FC Villarreal stop them on their way to the historic title four-pack. The Reds scored a well-deserved 2-0 (0-0) in the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals against the Europa League winners Spain on Wednesday, putting them before their third final in five years. As early as next Tuesday, Liverpool can make progress for the final in Paris on May 28th perfect in the second leg. For Villarreal, on the other hand, after the successes over Juventus and FC Bayern, another coup is a long way off.

A cross from Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson (53′) and star striker Sadio Mané (55′) deflected into goal by Pervis Estupiñán sealed the Klopp team’s victory. This means that the English still have the best chance of winning all four titles for the first time in the club’s history. They’ve already won the League Cup, they’ve reached the FA Cup final against Chelsea and Liverpool are just a point behind reigning champions Manchester City in the league.

However, the fans did not get to see a spectacle like the day before when Man City beat Real Madrid 4: 3 in the first semi-final. Klopp hadn’t expected that either. Because Villarreal was well prepared for the power football of the Reds in the first half by the clever coach Unai Emery, who won 31 of his last 37 knockout duels in the European Cup. It was only in the second half that the Spanish defensive artists were no longer able to cope with the constant pressure and could still be satisfied with the result.

Until then, patience was required at Klopp. Because the seventh-placed in the LaLiga knew how to slow down the pace, break the flow of the English game and defend compactly on the defensive. In addition, the Spaniards had the necessary luck in the first round, such as Thiago’s long-range shot on the post (42nd).

The two Liverpool offensive stars Mané (12th/33rd) and Mohamed Salah (27th/35th) also lacked precision in their chances. 12:0 shots on goal after 35 minutes expressed the one-sidedness of the game. For LFC goalkeeper Alisson it was a nearly idle evening.

Despite the unsuccessful start, the Klopp team didn’t get nervous, increased the pressure again in the second round and was whipped forward by their own supporters. Suddenly the magical Anfield mood was there and Villarreal staggered like a battered boxer.

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