Liverpool are in the lead in the UEFA Champions League semi-final against Villarreal after a 2-0 win at Anfield on Wednesday.
A match that would not have matched the excitement of Tuesday’s seven goals between Manchester City and Real Madrid ended in a second half with Pervis Estupinan scoring his own goal in the first leg. the Reds.
Unai Emery’s side defensively defended most of the game, they managed to get to the break without conceding goals but were eventually relegated by Jurgen Klopp’s fast-paced attack in the second half.
This was Liverpool’s 12th European Cup or Champions League final, with no English team playing in the final four times (level with Manchester United), and it was the first time the Reds had played in the EFL Cup semi-finals. , The FA Cup and the European Cup in the same campaign, and it was that experience of the big event that finally stood out.
It was a difficult start for the home team, though Mane was expecting a better header when he received a fine Mohamed Mohamed early ball with the Senegalese striker directing all his efforts.
Thiago Alcantara came as close as anyone to break the deadlock in the first half with a shot from about 30 yards that hit the left post, but the visitors did a good job of frustrating the Premier League team in the first 45 minutes.
Lightning that started in the second half of Klopp’s team finally saw them go ahead in the 53rd minute, with Jordan Henderson crossing the right turn with a lucky turn to Estupinan’s foot and flying past Rulli to his nearest venue.
One came just two minutes later as a fine move came to an end with Salah sliding the ball over Mane, freeing the goalkeeper to make it 2-0 for the Reds.
The yellow submarine has avoided further damage but it should do so when the two reunite in the second leg at El Madrigal next Tuesday.