Thierry Henry has claimed a "lucky" goal gave Liverpool the platform to build on as they earned a 2-0 win over Villarreal in their Champions League semi-final first leg.
Jordan Henderson's cross took a wicked deflection off Pervis Estupinan which looped over the goalkeeper and into the far corner to give the Reds the lead in the 53rd minute. It was the breakthrough Jurgen Klopp 's side needed after dominating the first-half without reward.
Sadio Mane headed wide from Mohamed Salah's cross, while the latter could only fire over from a terrific Trent Alexander-Arnold cross. However, the own-goal allowed Liverpool a little more freedom in possession and they doubled their advantage just two minutes later.
Salah's perfectly-weighted pass found Mane, who poked the ball beyond Geronimo Rulli as the Reds strolled to a comfortable first-leg advantage. But Henry believes the opening goal "bailed" Liverpool out as they struggled to break down a stubborn Villarreal defence.
"If you look at the game, I think a lucky goal bailed them out, for me," Henry said, per Football365. "I think they would have knocked on the door, if not all night. It’s a lucky goal, the own goal of Villarreal is a lucky goal. I think, before that, they weren’t showing a lot.
"But, along the way, I would say, when you are going for the quadruple, then you need to have that luck. And, after that, there is nothing about luck."
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Meanwhile, former Liverpool and Manchester United forward Michael Owen believes the tie isn't over just yet. He did, however, claim that another goal for the Reds would've sealed the tie and their place in the Champions League final next month.
"Villarreal have just got a pulse," Owen told BT Sport. "If Liverpool nicked another one it would have been game, set and match. I think three would have killed it, that would have been too much for Villarreal to come back from," Peter Crouch echoed. "Two is a possibility but it’s a slim, slim chance when you watch Liverpool in the form they’re in at the moment."
Liverpool are next in action when they take on Newcastle United in the early Saturday kick-off as they look to continue their quadruple ambitions. The Reds have already lifted the Carabao Cup and are in the final of the FA Cup, where they take on Chelsea on May 14. Klopp's side sit one point behind Manchester City in the Premier League title race with five games to go. They will go to the top of the division with a win at St James' Park before the Citizens travel to Leeds United later on Saturday.
