Liverpool took a significant step towards reaching the UEFA Champions League final with a 2-0 victory at Anfield against Spanish visitors Villarreal. The team, managed by Jürgen Klopp and aiming for a quadruple this season, had to show patience to overcome Villarreal, who were well-organized under experienced European coach Unai Emery.
Despite creating several opportunities, Liverpool struggled to score and needed a stroke of luck after 53 minutes when a cross from Jordan Henderson deflected off Villarreal defender Pervis Estupiñán, changing direction to beat goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli and find the net. Sadio Mane doubled Liverpool's lead just two minutes later with a decisive assist from Mohamed Salah.
The second leg is scheduled for Tuesday, May 3, at Villarreal, but it seems Liverpool is on course to play in the final later this month in Paris, where they would meet Manchester City or Real Madrid.
**Liverpool Continues Winning Streak**
Liverpool appears to be gaining unstoppable momentum after overcoming all challenges, including Villarreal, who had previously defeated Juventus and Bayern Munich in earlier rounds of the tournament. From the start, Villarreal aimed to stifle the enthusiasm of the home team, taking a long time to resume play after each stoppage, particularly on goal kicks.
Conversely, unlike the frustration that dominated the players during moments in their recent league match against Everton on Sunday, Liverpool remained calm, believing their chance would come. As the second half began, the Liverpool players increased the pressure, creating a tempo that Villarreal struggled to match, with a goal by Fabinho ruled out for offside before the first goal came from Henderson’s deflected cross off Estupiñán.
Klopp managed to substitute Henderson, who worked tirelessly, and goal-scorer Sadio Mane while maintaining his team's control of the match. Liverpool poses a threat that makes it impossible for opponents to simply park the bus in front of goal. There are many attacking options now available at Klopp's disposal.
This group possesses enough strength, allowing Klopp to leave his striker Diogo Jota on the bench until his team gained a two-goal lead. This group also includes Luis Díaz, who has made a remarkable impact since joining in January. Díaz showcased an impressive performance, with two powerful shots in the first half that Rulli could not handle, and his quick runs kept Villarreal players unsettled throughout the evening.
Klopp and his team will not consider reaching the final a given, but given their current level and confidence, it's hard to imagine any team, even one as resilient as Villarreal, overturning a two-goal deficit from the first leg.
Now, Liverpool shifts its focus back to chasing Manchester City in the Premier League, as they travel to face impressive Newcastle United on Saturday. The possibility of achieving a historic quadruple still exists, with Liverpool having already won the EFL Cup while continuing to compete for the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League. The celebrations at Anfield after the final whistle tonight indicated that Liverpool fans see what many observers deemed impossible now as a feasible reality.
**Emery Still Holds Hope**
The body language of Villarreal’s coach and his passionate and frustrated gestures in the final moments, as his players retained possession, suggested he believes his team is still in the Champions League semi-final despite being two goals down.
He has every right to hold onto hope due to his impressive European record, having won the Europa League four times with Sevilla and Villarreal, and defying the odds to take the team, nicknamed the "Yellow Submarine," to the Champions League semi-finals.
It will certainly require exceptional effort, even for this European expert, for Villarreal to overcome a team like Liverpool. Villarreal committed to the finest details of defense but was not given any chance to launch devastating counter-attacks, as had harmed Juventus and Bayern Munich.
Emery should never be underestimated, but Villarreal did not show enough capability in this match to prevent Liverpool from reaching the Champions League final for the third time under Jürgen Klopp.
