Liverpool FC took a big step towards the Champions League final on Wednesday. After a tough first half, the Klopp team turned up the heat against Villarreal in the second half.
Was that half the battle? After the 2-0 (0-0) win in the first leg of the Champions League against Villarreal, Liverpool have the best chance of reaching the final of the premier class on May 28 in Paris.
Jordan Henderson (53rd minute) and Sadio Mané (55th) set the course for a sovereign home win with a double strike shortly after the start of the second half. The guests from Spain were only able to keep up in the first round – and are in danger of missing the final after the quarter-final coup against FC Bayern.
Either Manchester City or Real Madrid would be waiting there. The Citizens defeated the Royals 4:3 in a spectacular game on Tuesday. The second leg will take place next Wednesday in Madrid.
That’s how the game went
A cross from Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson (53′) and star striker Sadio Mané (55′), deflected into the goal by Pervis Estupinan, 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 Thomas Tuchel, and Liverpool are just a point behind long-time rivals Manchester City in the league.
The spectators 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.
Champions League: Jordan Henderson made it 1-0 for Liverpool. (Source: Carl Recine/imago images)
Until then, patience was required at Klopp. Because the seventh-placed team in the Primera Division knew very well how to delay 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.