Liverpool will start with a two-goal advantage when they face Villarreal in the return match on May 3. David Ramos / Getty Images
Jordan Henderson’s defensive strike and Sadio Mane’s strike helped Liverpool win a 2-0 victory over Villarreal in the first semi-final of the Champions League at Anfield on Wednesday.
The Spanish side were decisive in the first half, but fell apart in the second when Henderson’s rebound crossed over goalkeeper Jeronimo Ruli – later scored an own goal by Pervis Estupinan – before Mane scored shortly afterwards.
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Villarreal enjoyed a remarkable series in the elimination stages of this year’s competition – they stunned the giants Juventus and Bayern Munich in the previous two rounds – but the team of Jurgen Klopp rarely had difficulty, as he sent the Spanish side to make a big step.
Liverpool, who won the competition in 2019, are trying to reach their third Champions League final in five years.
Manet enjoyed the best chance in a smooth first half, played mostly in the middle of Villarreal. The 30-year-old striker threw himself into the penalty area when Mohamed Salah centered to six yards, but Manet could not find the right contact to direct a header towards the goal.
Liverpool thought they had broken the deadlock in the 50th minute when Fabinho put the ball into the net, but defender Virgil van Dyke was offside when he set out to adjust the midfielder.
Klopp’s side remained in control and were well rewarded when Henderson broke through in the 53rd minute. The midfielder hit what looked like a cross from near the right corner flag, seeing that he had successfully deviated from Estupinan before entering the net.
Manet doubled the lead just two minutes later after Salah threw the ball in his way into the penalty area.
Villarreal failed to hit a single goal as they struggled to make their mark.
The two sides will meet again in the return match of the Estadio de la Ceramica on May 3.
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