Let us look at the talking points from the one-sided encounter and what it means in the grand scheme of things:
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Liverpool have edged closer to reaching the final of the Champions League after registering a comfortable victory over Villarreal in the first leg of the semifinals. It was a thoroughly dominating victory by the home side, who controlled the game immensely from start to finish. Despite being the dominant of the two sides, the Reds were not able to break the deadlock as they were kept at bay by a spirited Villarreal defence. However, they finally got the breakthrough in a fortuitous manner. In the 53rd minute, Pervis Estupinan deflected Jordan Henderson’s cross beyond Villarreal keeper Geronimo Rulli. A couple of minutes later, Sadio Mane doubled the home team’s advantage. Let us look at the talking points from the one-sided encounter and what it means in the grand scheme of things:
There are multiple examples from the past that have shown how anything is possible in a two-legged Champions League tie. A team that has been beaten comfortably in one leg of the competition has made an incredible comeback in the reverse leg to turn around things. Liverpool themselves have done it in the past, most famously in the 2019 Champions League semifinal when they overcame a 3-0 deficit to win the second leg 4-0 against Barcelona. However, this season, they have managed to hold off the opponents from staging a second leg fightback. After beating Inter Milan 2-0 at San Siro, the Reds lost 1-0 at Anfield and just about reached the quarters with a narrow 2-1 aggregate win. The same was the case in the quarters. After winning the first leg 3-1 at Benfica, the Reds had to fight hard to keep the Portuguese side at 3-3 in the reverse leg. Hence, Jurgen Klopp will be well aware of the possible fightback Villarreal might produce in the second leg.
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The Reds are in the form of their life. Liverpool are at the top of their game regardless of the competition they are participating in at the moment. The Reds have already won a competition this season and are now on course to win three more. It is only in the Premier League that Liverpool are a point behind second-placed Manchester City. However, in other competitions, they are the front runners for the title. When the draw was made in the Champions League, it was believed that the Man City side of the draw is very difficult. Hence it was thought that a team reaching from the City of the draw has the best chance of winning the title. However, the experts have underestimated the might of this current Liverpool form. The Reds are in such a good form that they are capable of beating any team on a given day. Whichever of Manchester City or Real Madrid makes it to the final will be an underdog against the dominating Liverpool side.
READ MORE – Liverpool vs Villarreal: ‘I really enjoyed the team performance,’ says Thiago
Jurgen Klopp’s side could do something no other team in the Premier League has done till now – win the quadruple in a single season. The Reds have already won the Carabao Cup trophy earlier this year against Chelsea in a thrilling penalty shootout. Now they have the opportunity to win three more titles. The Reds are sitting second in the Premier League table, having managed 79 points from 33 games. They are a point behind Pep Guardiola’s side having played the same number of matches. In the FA Cup final, Liverpool are set to reignite their rivalry with Thomas Tuchel’s Blues once again. Meanwhile, in the Champions League, the Reds are close to reaching the final, having won the first leg 2-0 against Villarreal. If they can replicate a similar thorough showing in the second leg then they will not only reach the final but will also be the favourites to lift the coveted European trophy.
