Liverpool faced off against Villarreal at the Estadio de la Cerámica earlier tonight as they looked to defend a 2-0 lead from the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semifinal tie. The Reds made a poor start to the game as they conceded the opening goal in the 3rd minute when Boulaye Dia scored with a tidy finish. The home team grew in confidence and ramped up the pressure in the first half. The Spanish outfit managed to get themselves back in the tie in the 41st minute when Francis Coquelin scored with a great header. The Merseyside outfit went into the half-time break 2-0 down on the scoreline (2-2 on aggregate).
Jurgen Klopp decided to make one substitution at the start of the second half as Luis Diaz came on for Diogo Jota. The Colombian winger went on change the game for the Reds in the second 45 minutes. Liverpool were dominant from the restart and managed to get a goal back in the 62nd minute via Fabinho’s strike from close range. The visitors drew level just five minutes later courtesy of Luis Diaz’s header. Sadio Mane put the tie to bed in the 74th minute with a composed finish as Liverpool ended up coming from behind and winning the clash by a 3-2 scoreline. The tie ended 5-2 on aggregate in favour of the Reds.
Let’s take a look at how each Liverpool player performed during the match against the Yellow Submarine.
GK: Alisson Becker – 6.5/10
The Brazilian keeper didn’t make a save in the game but will be disappointed after two goals in the first half.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7/10
The English full-back struggled to cope with Villarreal’s pace in the first half. However, he came back and produced a majestic display in the second which was capped off by a fine assist for Diaz’s goal.
CB: Ibrahima Konate – 7/10
Konate had a tough game in the first half but like many of his teammates, he came back and produced an outstanding performance in the second.
CB: Virgil Van Dijk – 7/10
The Dutch centre-back looked frazzled in the first 45 minutes. However, he dominated the aerial battle and produced a defensive masterclass in the second half.
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LB: Andrew Robertson – 6.5/10
He was sloppy in the early goings of the game but was back to his usual best after the half-time break.
CM: Naby Keita – 7.5/10
Keita initially struggled to get a foothold in the game but produced a great performance in the second half. He has got an assist to show for his efforts.
CM: Fabinho – 7.5/10
The Brazilian midfielder kept fighting and deserves credit for his excellent work rate at the centre of the park. He scored Liverpool’s all-important first goal with a good strike.
CM: Thiago Alcantara – 6.5/10
He made a difficult start to the game but was in complete cruise control in the second half.
RW: Mohamed Salah – 7.5/10
The Egpyt international was a constant menace in the final third and ended the game with an assist to his name for setting up Fabinho’s goal.
ST: Diogo Jota – 6/10
He led the press well but hardly got a sniff at goal in the first half.
LW: Sadio Mane – 8/10
Mane was always trying to make things happen and scored a fine goal in the second half which killed the contest off.
Substitutes:
LW: Luis Diaz – 8/10
The Colombian winger turned the game on its head after coming on at half-time. He kept the ball really well in tight spaces and got his name on the scoresheet with a good header.
CM: Jordan Henderson – 6/10
The Liverpool skipper added some fresh legs to Klopp’s midfield.
CM: Curtis Jones – 6/10
He kept the ball well in the Villarreal half.
LB: Kostas Tsimikas – 6/10
Tsimikas was solid at both ends of the field.
CM: James Milner – N/A
He hardly had any time to make an impact.
