Liverpool recorded a comfortable 2-0 win over Villarreal in the first leg of their Champions league semi-final on Wednesday night.
Though Unai Emery’s side temporarily succeeded in frustrating Liverpool in the first-half, it didn’t take long for the Reds to make their pressure count after the break. Jordan Henderson’s deflected effort, officially a Pervis Estupinan own goal, gifted the side the lead before Sadio Mane added a quick-fire second at Anfield.
It is a result that puts Liverpool one step closer to the Champions League final in Paris and helps maintain hopes of winning an unprecedented quadruple. Here’s a round-up of what the national media - and the ECHO’s own Paul Gorst - had to say.
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David Hynter, via The Guardian
“It is one thing to be the red-hot favourites; another to make it count.
“Liverpool took a significant stride towards their 10th European Cup final on a night when they refused to lose sight of their plan, what has got them to the point where an unprecedented quadruple is a possibility.
“Villarreal came to frustrate. It is an approach that had worked in the previous rounds, helping them to stage stunning heists that got them past Juventus and Bayern Munich. With the scoreline blank at the interval, Unai Emery had to feel that he was a part of the way to further plunder.
“Liverpool stayed cool. They continued to press on to the front foot, to manipulate the ball, only with more pace, more feeling. And they blew the doors off with two blasts in quick succession, the first when a Jordan Henderson cross deflected off the unfortunate Pervis Estupiñán to float into the far corner.”
Jason Burt, via The Telegraph
“Once again the phenomenal force of nature that is Liverpool showed that it can obliterate even the most formidable – and uncompromising - of obstacles. So much has been made of Villarreal’s defensive capabilities and yet the ‘yellow wall’ was blown away in 133 exhilarating seconds as Liverpool took a grip on this Champions League semi-final.
“History has shown, certain recent history in this competition, that even the most daunting of first-leg advantages can be overturned but it would be a seismic shock if Liverpool were to surrender this lead in Spain next Tuesday. Can Villarreal really hope to score three times against Liverpool without reply?
“Should Liverpool prevail it will be a third Champions League final in five years which provides yet more compelling evidence of their dominance. And, yes, that unprecedented ‘quadruple’ would still be on as well in what could turn out to be the most incredible ever campaign for Jürgen Klopp and this remarkable group of players. Such is their power, in every aspect, that nothing can be ruled out.”
Martin Samuel, via The Daily Mail
“Liverpool got what they deserved, eventually, but it was a fair time coming. And not just on the night.
“Believe it or not, they haven’t won a Champions League knock-out tie at Anfield since that astonishing night against Barcelona in 2019, also at the semi-final stage.
“This most certainly wasn’t a repeat of that. Villarreal are no Barcelona, and this was a first leg. Technically, it’s half time even if we all think we know where the tie is heading. Yet this victory was, in its own way, no less hard fought.
“When Liverpool got their breakthrough goals – two in two minutes – they had spent the best part of an hour throwing themselves against a yellow wall of resistance. Villarreal defended superbly in the first-half and were threatening to do the same again. It took a sizable slab of luck for Liverpool to score and, as often happens, with tails up they then took further advantage.”
Miguel Delaney, via The Independent
“Liverpool are on the brink of a 10th appearance at the peak of European football, but only after a 2-0 win that felt very far from the pinnacle of the game. It was certainly so far removed from the thrilling chaos of the previous night at Manchester City.
“There were so many passages where this felt much less a Champions League semi-final, and more a routine Premier League win over someone like Watford. That was down to more than the identity of some of Villarreal’s players, such as Etienne Capoue and Pervis Estupinan.
“It should be stressed that this is more a reflection of the economic disparity within European football, that is now such a live issue, rather than any disrespect towards Unai Emery’s team. They have done superbly to get this far, and still have some small chance, but it still felt like they came up against the limits of what is possible with this sort of football.”
Paul Gorst, via the Liverpool ECHO
“If there is to be a gentle gnawing at Liverpool on what was yet another memorable European night at Anfield, it will be that their dominance was not reflected by a healthier margin.
“On first inspection, it seems a ridiculous point to make for a team who are now so close to the Champions League final in Paris they are practically docked at Calais, but such was the control of Jurgen Klopp's Reds that Villarreal really should be heading back to Spain knowing their impossible dream is over. It really shouldn't be this comfortable.
“Nineteen shots and 73% possession doesn't tell the full story of a game that at times - particularly at the end when Unai Emery's men were desperate to simply keep hold of the debt they were already in - resembled a training match of attack against defence. It really was that purposeful from a team who can quite rightly lay claim to being Europe's finest right now.
“A 2-0 victory leaves the La Liga outfit with a mountain to climb at El Madrigal next week, at least. Klopp’s quadruple hunters are closing in on a third - yes, third - Champions League final in five years. That is the reality.”
