It’s one thing to be a fiery favorite; another to count.
Liverpool took a significant step towards their 10th final of the European Cup in one night, when they refused to miss their plan, which brought them to the point where it is possible an unprecedented quadruple.
Villarreal is disappointed. This is an approach that has worked in previous rounds, helping them organize stunning robberies that brought them over Juventus and Bayern Munich. With an empty score in the interval, Unai Emery had to feel that he was part of the road to further robbery.
Liverpool remained cool. They continued to press the front leg, to manipulate the ball, only with more tempo, more feeling. And they blew up the doors with two quick consecutive explosions, the first when Jordan Henderson’s cross deflected the ill-fated Pervis Estunian to emerge into the far corner.
Villarreal shook and were shattered when Sadio Mane rushed to Mohamed Salah’s ball to beat Geronimo Ruli. The guests did not threaten at any time and it is difficult to see how they will manage to turn things around in the rematch next Tuesday.
Banners were flown at the Cop before the start, reminding everyone why Liverpool are European royalty and highlighting how this was one of David’s great stories against Goliath at this stage of the race.
Villarreal did not play the highest football in Spain until 1998-99 and they won only one big trophy – the Europa League last season. The population of their city is 50,000 people; in other words, less than Anfield’s capacity.
This Liverpool team has a fear factor and their business card before the match included a devastating statistic. Since January 2, they have lost only one result that mattered – in a 2-2 draw in the Manchester City Premier League.
Villarreal were compact in their 4-4-2 system. They always would be. It was the match of their lives, and full-blooded commitment was the minimum requirement of Unai Emery, who previously had only bad memories of this stadium. He was here three times during his time at Arsenal and lost all three.
Cross by Jordan Henderson deviates from Pervis Estupanian (left) and defeats goalkeeper Jeronimo Ruli. Photo: Carl Resin / Action Images / Reuters
Liverpool wanted to bring their usual aggression, with and without the ball, and it was a little troubling for them when Ruley took time for the first goal of the draw. With two minutes on the clock. The cop shouted. Rully went through the same routine when he could, while his teammates got down pretty fast and got up slowly. It was all about breaking Liverpool’s pace.
Jurgen Klopp’s team had to be patient after the early goal failed. It may have happened. Manet failed to control after Ibrahima Konate scored with a header from a corner – the ball came quickly forward – but the big chance in the first quarter came when Salah received a pass from Manet on the right and looked up. Mane made his move, Salah’s cross was perfect, but the header was wrong.
Villarreal showed composure on the ball in the first half; they played intelligently, which is not an easy task in the face of the Liverpool press. They were caught at times, but never felt panicked as they counted down the minutes until halftime.
Emery’s team barely crossed the half before the break, but it was about blocks and fights, keeping in shape. Liverpool had other fluctuations. Salah twisted from the target, Manet spun around and saw that the blow deflected wide as Salah raised a high volley. He was selected by Trent Alexander-Arnold’s lavish cut with a volley after a diagonal by Andy Robertson. Thiago Alcantara also shook up 30 yards.
Sadio Mane celebrates after scoring Liverpool’s second goal. Photo: Tom Jenkins / Guardian
Villarreal is spiritually committed to Liverpool as a city. Their nickname Yellow Submarine comes from the color of their shirts and the tune of Liverpool’s most famous band. The Beatles released it in 1966, and in the 1967-68 season a group of Villarreal fans began playing it at their club’s matches on a battery-powered turntable.
The Anfield crowd didn’t feel much of a connection, but football is a game of style and Liverpool had to overcome that. They found a way in the second half.
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Fabinho saw a goal ruled out after a corner, Virgil van Dyke headed towards him from an offside position and was lucky for the breakthrough goal. Liverpool will claim to have driven it on their own after a move from left to right saw Henderson swap passes with Alexander Arnold and make the first real overlap of the evening. His cross broke away from Estupinyan and sailed over Ruli.
Manet’s finish was deadly, unloaded quickly under pressure after Villarreal allowed Salah to reverse – their first real mistake – and at that moment it was all over, Liverpool felt blood and a deadly third goal.
This did not happen, despite the best efforts of Andy Robertson, Van Dyke and Louis Diaz. Two felt enough.
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