Villarreal were always going to find it difficult to escape their Champions League semi-final first leg at Anfield unscathed, according to their goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli.
The Yellow Submarine provided stiff opposition for the Reds in the opening 45 minutes, but were finally breached eight minutes into the second half when Jordan Henderson's cross was deflected into Rulli's net by Pervis Estupinan. And that lead was doubled just two minutes later when Mohamed Salah threaded a pass to Sadio Mane, who poked home a second, giving Jurgen Klopp's side a healthy first leg advantage.
The result was fair on the visiting Spaniards and Rulli admitted that it was always a likely outcome when playing one of the best teams on the planet in their own stadium, but still thinks next Tuesday's second leg at the Estadio de la Cerámica could go the other way.
