Liverpool 2-0 Villarreal: Anfield storm drowns Yellow Submarine in semi-final first leg

Liverpool are heading into the second leg of their Champions League semi-final against Villarreal with a 2-0 advantage. The Premier League giants have completed half of the job on their way to the final of the competition, and will need to be at their best in Spain to progress further. 

The opening 45 minutes were quite frustrating for the home side, with Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz and Thiago all coming close to scoring. But, they failed to produce the clinical finishing that they are known for to take the lead before half time. 

Liverpool head into second leg with two goal advantage 

Jurgen Klopp’s men came out of the tunnel with the same attacking intent. And this time, they were able to find the back of the net. Club captain Jordan Henderson opened the scoring himself, with a deflected cross ending up in the back of the net. 

Only two minutes later, Sadio Mane scored to double Liverpool’s lead. The Senegalese winger now has 14 goals in the Champions League knockout stages, the most of any Liverpool player. 

Villarreal used the same tactics as they did against Bayern Munich, sitting comfortably behind the ball and trying to attack on the counter. They had only 29% of the ball, and stuck to their game plan of weathering the Anfield storm somehow. But, the sheer attacking quality of the Reds was too much for the Yellow Submarine to lock out. And as a result, they will have to play attacking football for a change to secure a dream Champions League final spot.