Liverpool dominate Villarreal but Klopp’s side are fully aware of a possible Champions League return

LIVERPOOL, UK – Don’t be fooled by the narrow border of the cross. Liverpool‘S 2-0 win end Villarreal at Anfield was the most one-sided semi-final you could see and could and should have been for the six-time European champions.

But 2-0 is probably more than enough to continue Liverpool’s dream of winning four major titles in one season. Unai Emery’s side still have 90 minutes in the second leg next Tuesday to salvage this fixture and reach the Champions League final in Paris on May 28, but that would go against all logic and equals. Statistical evidence to believe that Liverpool will not be able to resist a Villarreal seems unthinkable to fight back.

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“The score is 2-0 after the first half [in the tie]”, said Jurgen Klopp. This is the best example of a score when you have to be on full alert. We will have to be 100% in the right mood and play the second leg exactly the same way we played the first game. The score was fine, but we didn’t make it through. “

This competition has certainly given us plenty of notable second legs in recent years, including Liverpool overturning a 3-0 deficit before Barcelona to win 4-0 in the second leg. If Villarreal can knock Klopp’s side out at the Estadio de la Ceramica, then that game will have the same shocks as the forgettable night at Anfield in May 2019.

But Liverpool’s inability to turn their dominance into a more game-reflective winning streak means Villarreal, who won the Europa League last season, still has a glimmer of hope in the return leg. “Golden Submarine” ended European ambitions Arsenal, Manchester United, Juventus and Bayern Munich Over the past 12 months, Liverpool will not take them lightly, but the reason why Klopp’s army holds such an army in the first leg is because Liverpool do not underestimate Villarreal.

Both Juventus and Bayern failed to realize Villarreal’s danger on the counter-attack and paid a heavy price, but Liverpool made no mistake and their defensive focus was as important as their attacking flair. surname. By the end of the game, Liverpool had scored 20 goals against Villarreal. According to UEFA official statistics, Liverpool had 93 attacks (Villarreal had only 15) and made 645 passes compared to Emery’s 182. In terms of possession time, Liverpool hit 68% in 90 minutes.

The fact that they only won 2-0 was due to missed opportunities as well as Villarreal’s organization and defensive discipline. In the first half, the Spanish team played a master in reducing the atmosphere, slowing the game, wasting time and not giving Liverpool space to play at their usual choking pace. Villarreal’s approach let the hosts down and silenced the crowd – an achievement in itself at Anfield on a Champions League night – but there was always the feeling that the dam would break if Liverpool continued to push towards prior to.

It’s all about game management and patience, something made easier thanks to the presence of Thiago Alcantara in Liverpool’s midfield, with the former Barcelona and Bayern player ensuring that no one in the red shirt was spooked by Villarreal’s attempts to choke the game. But once Fabinho had a goal ruled out for offside in the 50th minute, it became clear that Liverpool were ready to race through the gears in pursuit of the opening goal, which came three minutes after Jordan Hendersongoalkeeper beat cross Geronimo Rulli after being deflected by Pervis Estupinan.

Goals provide more relief and urgency, and Sadio Mane Double Liverpool’s lead two minutes later when he slotted Rulli after being freed by Mohamed Salah. In the blink of an eye, Villarreal had gone from being firmly held to a draw to having to hold on with his fingertips. Andy Robertson then there was a goal ruled out for offside and Virgil van Dijk and Luis Diaz both came close to scoring, but Villarreal conceded by just two goals.

This Liverpool side played too well to give up their two-goal advantage in the Champions League semi-final, even though they have conceded a total of seven goals in Liverpool’s past two away semi-finals under Klopp, in 2018 and 2019. While the opponents are in the Premier League. City of Manchester have to defend a goal lead Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu next Wednesday after they First leg win 4-3Liverpool’s challenge is nothing more than the usual.

Klopp will remind his players of that night against Barcelona, ​​when no one gave Liverpool a chance, and urge them to be wary of Villarreal making a miraculous comeback of their own.

“I looked at Villarreal and the way they were organized was a lesson for me,” said Klopp. “But we shouldn’t forget that we played well too. It’s going to be difficult, but the best way to deal with being 2-0 down is to ignore it and start over at 0-0.”

For Villarreal and Emery, however, there is still defiance and belief that they can deliver a shock.

“[Liverpool] Emery will suffer more tonight in Villarreal,” Emery said after this match.

That may prove to be true, but the reality is that Liverpool and their fans can start planning for Paris.