Reds earn record UCL win, patience proves key and Mane equals tally

Talking pointsReds earn record UCL win, patience proves key and Mane equals tally

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By Joe Urquhart at Anfield

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Liverpool secured a two-goal advantage in the opening leg of their Champions League semi-final against Villarreal on Wednesday night.

Liverpool 2-0 Villarreal: Extended highlights

Two second-half goals in as many minutes – a deflection off Pervis Estupinan from Jordan Henderson’s cross, followed by a Sadio Mane finish – handed the Reds a 2-0 victory at Anfield ahead of the return fixture in Spain on May 3.

Here are five talking points from the clash in L4…

Patience proves key

Villarreal remained resolute in defence throughout the opening period on Merseyside.

Liverpool went closest through a Thiago Alcantara long-range strike in the first half as the midfielder’s effort smashed the upright to leave Anfield in near-disbelief.

The Reds were made to be patient as they pushed their La Liga visitors back by dominating possession.

Luis Diaz forced visiting goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli into action twice, while Mohamed Salah hooked a shot over the bar from inside the box, leaving Jürgen Klopp’s side with a tally of 12 attempts without a goal on the board at the break.

The reward for their domination of the ball and chances, though, finally came 10 minutes into the second half in 133 stunning seconds.

Henderson’s deflected cross first looped into the net to send the home crowd wild, before Mane relit the flame a little over two minutes later – a potentially decisive moment in the tie.

You make your own luck

It may not go down as the captain’s goal, but his endeavour made the opener happen and set Liverpool on their way.

Henderson took responsibility on his shoulders in the second half, setting off on a driving run from midfield looking to make something out of nothing.

The No.14’s quick one-two with Salah left him on the right flank, searching to pick out one of several teammates lurking in the area.

His cross, though, took a wicked deflection into the back of the net to spark celebrations in the stands as he wheeled away down the touchline.

A goal, and stroke of luck, earned through determination.

Mane equals record

The Senegal forward struck his 20th goal of the campaign in all competitions – making it four out of the last five seasons he has reached that mark.

Salah’s clever through ball into the Villarreal penalty box afforded his fellow attacker time and space to prod home from close range.

In doing so, Mane netted his 14th goal in the knockout stages of the Champions League in his career, a number which sees him draw level with Didier Drogba as the top-scoring African with such strikes.

Let’s do it again

The Reds will now make the return trip to Estadio de la Ceramica next week.

A ticket to Paris for European club football’s showpiece is up for grabs and Klopp’s side have landed the first blow on home soil.

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Another 90 minutes in Spain separates Liverpool from a third Champions League final appearance in five years.

Newcastle United await on Saturday lunchtime in the Premier League, however, ahead of the trip to face Unai Emery’s Yellow Submarine for a second time in six days.

Reds march on

Thanks to the victory at Anfield, Liverpool have now won nine matches in this season’s Champions League.

That tally is the most games the Reds have ever won in a single campaign in Europe (excluding qualifiers).

Klopp’s side have also equalled the club record for the most wins across all competitions (including penalty shootouts) in one season, with the total of 43 this term matching that of 2019-20.

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