Everything had been going swimmingly for Unai Emery in Villarreal’s Champions League semi-final, until the sordid five minutes for the Yellow Submarine.
Liverpool had enjoyed most of the possession and all of the chances in the first half, but overall Villarreal were content with their display early doors. Comfortable was not the word but there was satisfaction with the game plan.
LIVERPOOL LEADS 💥
Jordan Henderson’s cross takes a deflection and Rulli is caught off guard 😨 pic.twitter.com/MNBModfhHS
— DAZN Canada (@DAZN_CA) April 27, 2022
LIVERPOOL GET THE BREAKTHROUGH. 🔴 pic.twitter.com/tK41GaKwQj
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 27, 2022
The home side came out the blocks again in the first half, coming at Villarreal and causing them problems. A disallowed goal from Fabinho for offside was the precursor to a dreadfully unfortunate opener for Villarreal. Jordan Henderson crossed from the right but it took a deflection off the foot of Pervis Estupinan, looping it into the far corner beyond Geronimo Rulli.
INCREDIBLE STUFF! ⚡️⚡️
Moments after Jordan Henderson’s deflected cross found the net, Sadio Mane doubles Liverpool’s lead! 🔴
All of a sudden the Reds are dominating Villarreal 💪#UCL pic.twitter.com/PDphIrPTAx
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 27, 2022
53′: Liverpool 1-0 Villarreal
55′: Liverpool 2-0 VillarrealTwo goals in two minutes. Liverpool are fired up. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/AEek0qRKGP
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 27, 2022
THE FLOOD GATES HAVE OPENED FOR LIVERPOOL 🔴
Sadio Mane scores The Reds’ second in 2 minutes 🔥 pic.twitter.com/RVAsNtAZ6H
— DAZN Canada (@DAZN_CA) April 27, 2022
Liverpool’s second was no accident. Mohamed Salah drove into the middle before laying the ball back. Picking the ball up again, he faced up the defenders and then slipped Sadio Mane through the defence, where the Senegalese managed to get a toe to the ball ahead of Rulli.
That leaves the tie firmly in the favour of Jurgen Klopp’s men. Emery on the other hand has a dilemma, with the possibility of losing an extra goal going in search of one of their own would potentially kill the tie. Even so, a two-goal deficit is a significant job to do back at La Ceramica.