The “Reds” celebrated a well-deserved 2-0 home win against Villarreal in the semi-final first leg on Wednesday with an own goal from Pervis Estupiñán (53′) and a goal from Sadio Mane (55′). In view of the striking class difference, it seems hardly conceivable that the Spaniards will still be able to turn the tide in the return game next Tuesday.
In the final on May 28 in Paris/Saint-Denis, the winner from ManCity will face Real Madrid. While the 4: 3 between City and the “Royal” on Tuesday was an offensive spectacle, the game at Anfield showed completely different characteristics – which was mainly due to the guests. Villarreal acted extremely defensively, narrowed the spaces and thus at least saved themselves unscathed at half-time. It could have hit the goal of the “Yellow Submarine” before the change of sides, but Mane missed a good header opportunity after a cross from Mohamed Salah (12′).
Luis Diaz failed with long-range shots by Villarreal goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli (14′, 31′), a volley from Henderson from an acute angle landed on the outside bar (22′) and a deflected Mane shot was just centimeters short (33′). In addition, Thiago put a long-range shot on the crossbar (42nd).
A lucky goal was needed in the second half to break the spell. Henderson tried to cross in the middle, but the ball was deflected by Estupiñán and dropped behind Rulli in the goal. Seconds later, Liverpool followed suit – Salah served Mane, the Senegalese was not offside by a few centimeters and poked the ball into the net.
After that, the English dominated at will, but missed some promising opportunities. The Spaniards had no chance at all – they had prevailed against the nominally stronger teams of Juventus Turin and FC Bayern with a lot of tactical finesse, but also with some luck. This time the lack of quality could no longer be concealed.
Villarreal failed to manage a single offensive action worth mentioning throughout the season, while Liverpool enjoyed around 90 percent possession. The only fly in the ointment for Jürgen Klopp’s team was the fact that they didn’t convert their overwhelming superiority into more goals.
Source: Nachrichten
