Jurgen Klopp said if he was younger he would have been "really angry" after being asked if the Champions League semi-final was already over after winning the first-leg 2-0 at Anfield.
The Liverpool manager was proven right after a chaotic second-leg in Spain on Tuesday night in which the Reds had to come back from two goals behind to claim the win. Luis Diaz, who came on for Diogo Jota at halftime, inspired the Reds to book their place in the Champions League final in Paris on May 28.
Goals from Fabinho, Diaz and Sadio Mane in 12 second-half minutes overturned the tie after Liverpool had looked vulnerable in the first half. It came after the Reds were sent a warning about Villarreal ahead of kick-off by former players Peter Crouch and Michael Owen.
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Villarreal talking points
Liverpool suffered a huge first-half scare to book their place in the Champions League final and keep their hopes of a historic quadruple alive.
The Reds fell behind in the third minute after Pervis Estupinan’s cross was met at the far post by Etienne Capoue, whose mis-hit shot found Boulaye Dia to score into an unguarded net. Francis Coquelin then levelled the scores on aggregate minutes before half-time as he out-jumped Trent Alexander-Arnold to float a header into the top corner from Capoue's cross.
But the Reds were much improved following the halftime introduction of Luis Diaz, with Fabinho's low, angled drive beating Geronimo Rulli at his near post. Diaz’s downward header then levelled the scores on the night before Sadio Mane beat Rulli to the ball 20 yards outside his area before rolling the ball into an open goal.
It was a match full of talking points including Liverpool's mettle, Klopp's stumbling block and Unai Emery's Euro genius finally running out.
Reds failed to heed warning
Michael Owen and Peter Crouch sent Liverpool's players a warning before their Champions League semi-final kicked off – and were quickly proved right.
Speaking on BT Sport ahead of the game, Owen predicted Villarreal would "go more direct and play the ball in behind". Crouch then echoed those words, predicting that "an early goal might change things".
And they were quickly proved right as Boulaye Dia stabbed home just minutes after kick-off.
Klopp's 'anger'
Jurgen Klopp hinted he had been angered after being asked if the Champions League semi-final was already over ahead of kick-off.
The Reds took a 2-0 lead into the second leg after winning the first game at Anfield. And before Tuesday's game took place the Liverpool boss was asked if the tie was already over following that previous win.
And he replied: "If I was younger I'd have been really angry with the question!"
