Villarreal 2-3 Liverpool- Goals, Highlights & Takeaways

11 months ago

The return match between Villarreal and Liverpool could not be different for the two teams. The Reds took a two-goal lead and everything Yellow Submar was doing.

They started on the right note. Pervis Estupinan’s superb cross from the left was dropped by Etienne Capoue to Boulay Día who did nothing wrong. Villarreal cut the difference in half within three minutes.

Obviously, Liverpool were shaken because they couldn’t have had a controlled bout of possession. Villarreal was ahead at every opportunity. Giovanni Lo Celso was pushed by Alisson inside the penalty area but the referee did not move. However, the second goal eventually arrived. Capoy outmaneuvered Andy Robertson from the left and drilled a full cross that was met by a flying Frances Coquelin. 2-0 and the tie is back to square one. Liverpool had to come up with answers after the break as Villarreal seemed to be in a tough mood.

Unsurprisingly, it was Liverpool who started the second half well. They were pressing and speeding Villarreal. Luis Diaz’s introduction had provoked their attack. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s shot hit a large deviation from Coquelin and hit the crossbar. The dominance finally paid off after an hour had passed. Mohamed Salah reaches the ball in Kabwe’s goal in Fabinho’s way. The midfielder advanced into the penalty area before hitting a low shot that passed through Jeronimo Rulli’s legs in his near post.

One of them brought two goals in quick succession as Diaz’s header crossed Alexander Arnold with the left foot. Two became three with Rulie’s fault again. The goalkeeper came running to intercept a ball forward but Sadio Mane stole it from her. The Senegalese walked inside the penalty area before he shot it into the empty goal.

Villarreal was really deflated at this point, and the players were losing their composure. Capoy was sent off for sneaking up on Curtis Jones and picking up his second yellow card. Liverpool had chances to score more but that didn’t happen. However, three of them were enough as they won 5-2 on aggregate.

Here are the three main points from the match:

Villarreal is brave in defeat

It’s always been one hell of a challenge. But the credit goes to Villarreal for his bravest fights. They went ahead within three minutes and Liverpool ran rough throughout the first half. Coquelin’s goal had put them in dreamland but everything changed after the break. Unai Emery must have told his players to play more carefully and that was their downfall.

Villarreal is unprecedented with Liverpool returning to its first form. This was always dangerous for the landlords whose resistance was finally broken by Fabinho. Two more goals arrived as Liverpool put them mercilessly in the path of the sword. Villarreal did everything he could but the task was too big in the end.

Liverpool is finally loaded

Liverpool’s performance was by no means outdated. But like so many times this season, they just get the job done. The first half was a disaster because they completely eliminated their big advantage. But the second half was a completely different matter. Luis Diaz had a real energy spark that shook the attack alive.

Fabinho opened the scoring, and Rowley was a little suspicious. Once the defense was breached, there was no doubt. Diaz and Mane added two more for insurance as Jurgen Klopp left for his third Champions League final in five years.

Finalists again

Liverpool will meet one of Manchester City or Real Madrid in the final. The Reds are still in the four-way conversation and it certainly isn’t that far off. However, they also know that any small slip like the first half tonight would be fatal.

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