After all the goals and drama of Manchester City’s 4-3 win over Real Madrid in the first leg of the first Champions League semifinal on Tuesday, Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Villarreal a day later perhaps felt a little anti-climactic. But a little calm is no bad thing and if this is, as it should be, a precursor to a Champions League final, few of a red persuasion will be too concerned. This was a thoroughly comprehensive win from a side that, after a slight dip following the international break, is back at the top of its game.
The idea of a first XI is perhaps a little old-fashioned, but a pattern is emerging in Jürgen Klopp’s selections. He has described this as the best squad he has ever worked with, and there is an emerging sense that for the first time in well over a decade Liverpool’s squad might outstrip that of Man City. But in big games in Europe, Klopp tends to opt for Ibrahima Konaté as the partner for Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the defense, while Luis Díaz operates on the left of the front three, with Sadio Mané through the middle.
It’s a side that seems to offer all different types of goals: in the familiar Klopp way in transition; from the aerial threat of Konaté; van Dijk and Fabinho from set plays; from the tight skills of Mohamed Salah; and the precise passing of Thiago Alcântara. Liverpool needed all of that variety to break down a typically stubborn Villarreal.
