Liverpool completed a pretty routine 2-0 win over Villarreal in the 1st leg of their Champions League semi-final at Anfield on Wednesday night.
Two quick fire goals in just under 3 minutes early in the second half done the job done for Klopp’s team. An unluckily deflected own goal from Pervis Estupiñán got Liverpool off and running in the 53rd minute, and that was followed by a Sadio Mane strike after 55 minutes.
The Spaniards didn’t offer anything from an attacking point of view, and ended the match with just one attempt on goal, and 26% possession. It was clear from early on that Unai Emery’s side had just come to defend.
Should Liverpool have Killed off Villarreal on the Night?
Did Liverpool miss the chance to kill off the tie in the 1st leg though? That seemed to be the question the pundits were asking on BT Sports at the conclusion of the night’s action.
Such was the dominance of the Reds, the tie could have been over as a contest. But unlike Man City on the previous night, Liverpool decided to play safer and protect their 2-0 lead.
Either way, it’s hard to see Villarreal having the firepower to beat Liverpool by two goals or more next week. Unai Emery’s team will have to totally change their game plan, and when they do, that will surely play into the hands of Mane, Salah and co.
Put short, it’s hard to see the Spaniards keeping a clean sheet if they take the game to Liverpool. And even if Villarreal do manage two or three goals, I can see Liverpool scoring a couple of their own.
Latest Champions League Betting
Villarreal’s fate is also sealed if you believe the odds on offer from the bookmakers. In the betting to qualify for the Champions League final, the Spaniards are 16/1, with Liverpool at 1/100.
So convinced are the bookmakers that Liverpool is already in the final, they now have Klopp’s team as outright favourites to win the 2022 Champions League.
