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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Matt C Jones

'Very considerate' - Gary Lineker sends Liverpool message after Villarreal fightback

Gary Lineker has praised the influence of Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp after the team overcame a shocking 45 minutes to book their place in the Champions League final.

Villarreal were level in the tie at half time, as the Reds turned in one of their worst halves of the season and found themselves 2-0 down on the night.

However, the team responded well in the second half after the introduction of the electric Luis Diaz and a likely rollocking from the coach.

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Fabinho made it 2-1 on the night after his shot inexplicably found its way past goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli, before Diaz made it 2-2 with a sharp header that nutmegged the hapless Villarreal stopper.

Sadio Mane then completed the turnaround at the Estadio de la Ceramica, as he rounded an onrushing Rulli - who was again hopelessly at fault - to make it 3-2.

At full time, Klopp celebrated with his players and the travelling supporters, as they made their way to a third Champions League final under his stewardship.

"Very considerate of Liverpool to make it interesting for us for a while," Lineker posted during the second half. "Klopp, though, sorted it. He’s brilliant."

Lineker later posted about the Villarreal stopper, simply sharing "Really Rulli?" after he made one of his many blunders over the course of the two legs.

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