Liverpool are one step closer to the Champions League final. The Reds beat Villarreal at home (2-0) thanks to a goal from Sadio Mané.
Liverpool dominate but not in front of goal
Villarreal ended the first half without conceding a goal despite Liverpool's repeated attacks. In this game, the Reds were mainly lacking in finishing. They had many chances without finding the back of the net. The first was Luis Diaz, who scored the first shot on target of the match (16th), Salah's left-footed curler over the top (26th). Diaz then had another shot deflected off the keeper (31). The player was able to control the ball on the edge of the box and then volleyed in a right-footed shot from the edge of the area. But the Spanish goalkeeper pounced and deflected the ball away (33'). Thiago Alcantara's shot from more than 25 meters out nearly hit the post with two minutes remaining in the first half. The game went into the break with 13 shots and 67% of possession, and Jurgen Klopp's men went into the break with a goalless draw.
Sadio Mané folds the match
But in the second half, it was a different story. Fabinho scored but the referee blew the whistle on Van Dijk's offside call (49th). Liverpool were still able to break the Villarreal deadlock. It's the captain Henderson who delivers Anfield with a cross. The yellow sub's left-back Estupinan Rulli deflected the ball into the back of his own net (53').
The Spanish side were literally suffocated by the Reds' attack, as Sadio Mane finished off a finely crafted true pass from Mo Salah to secure the day for the reds. Full time score board was 2-0 for the host. Villareal has an option and a task to overturn things when they host the return leg semi finals next week.
