Highlights: Liverpool fight off spirited Villarreal to reach UCL final

You are currently viewing Highlights: Liverpool fight off spirited Villarreal to reach UCL final
  • Post published:May 4, 2022

Liverpool produced a second-half comeback to edge past Spanish side Villarreal and book a place in the Uefa Champions League final, keeping their hopes of a historical quadruple alive. Watch the highlights here.

Liverpool came into the second leg with a comfortable 2-0 lead after the first leg at Anfield. If anyone inside the ground was sceptical of a comeback from the home side, they were given an early injection of belief as Pervis Estupinan swung in a cross from the left and Etienne Capoue’s skewed finish was turned in by Dia.

Liverpool lacked their usual control and precision, with Villarreal’s second goal coming four minutes before half time as Pau Torres launched a long ball from deep for Capoue to run on to.

The half-time whistle prompted huge cheers from the home fans, whose team were level in the tie, and a change from Klopp, as Diaz replaced Jota.

Liverpool looked like a team smarting after the break. They were rushing now to take throw-ins, eager to find the intensity they had previously lacked.

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s deflected shot from distance looped on to the crossbar. Diaz volleyed over at the back post. And then Fabinho fired in, latching on to a Mohamed Salah pass and shooting early through the legs of Geronimo Rulli.

This was a more familiar Liverpool, hitting a level Villarreal could not match, and five minutes later they scored a second, restoring their two-goal advantage on aggregate.

Alexander-Arnold was given too much space on the right and floated a cross into the area where Diaz aimed an excellent header down and in.

Seven minutes later, Liverpool delivered the final blow, as Rulli rushed out to close down a launched ball forward but failed to get there first.

Mane sprinted clear and rolled into an open net before Capoue was sent off, earning a second yellow card for a frustrated challenge with six minutes left.

Highlights: