Liverpool takes control of the Champions League semi
Key takeaways:
- Sadio Mane has netted 14 Champions League knockout goals, equalling Didier Drogba's record for African players.
- Liverpool took a massive stride towards another Champions League final with a commanding win over Villarreal at Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp's quadruple-chasing Reds had to show patience to break down a Villarreal team well managed by European professional Unai Emery.
Despite creating all the chances, Liverpool was held at bay and required a fortune to break the draw after 53 minutes when Jordan Henderson's cross was deflected past Villarreal goalie Geronimo Rulli by Pervis Estupinan.
Sadio Mane improved Liverpool's control when he touched Mohamed Salah's pass past Rulli two minutes later.
The second leg in Villarreal is still to come next Tuesday, but Liverpool now looks firmly on the path to facing either Manchester City or Real Madrid in the final in Paris in May.
Liverpool boom on
Liverpool seems to be gathering unbeatable momentum as all challenges, even from a Villarreal team that claimed the scalps of Juventus and Bayern Munich in the last rounds, are overcome.
Villarreal set out to take the sting out of the home squad from the first whistle, taking an age over goal-kicks and other restarts. Still, unlike the frustration that surpassed them at times against Everton at Anfield on Sunday, Liverpool stayed composed, apparently safe in their knowledge that their chance would come.