Liverpool beat Villarreal 2-0 in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final this morning, which is also the result of prediction, because Liverpool's recent form has been very stable. However, because Villarreal had previously eliminated the powerful Bayern, the pre-match parties believed that there was a possibility of a draw in this round. It was not easy for Liverpool to win this game, if it were not for Estupinain's refraction of the ball, the goalkeeper pounced on the ball but failed to block it into the net, Liverpool may only be able to win a small victory.
In these two semi-final matches, Manchester City's defensive line has more problems, and Liverpool's defensive stability is more championship-oriented, of course, provided that the current stable play is continued. Looking back at the recent records of Manchester City and Liverpool, it can be seen that Liverpool have completed clean sheets in the last three games, and scored 8 goals, achieving four consecutive wins in multi-line battles, scoring 3 goals against Manchester City, then conceding 2 goals, and finally entering the final of the FA Cup. Manchester City have won all three of their last three games, but only conceded zero goals in one game, scoring nine goals and conceding four goals in the other two games, and conceding three goals against Real Madrid did expose the weakness of the defensive end.
Liverpool's easier win was also due to Salah's recovery, he broke the goal drought against Manchester United, and passed against Everton, so the key return can also help the team win the Champions League. In fact, Salah almost created a dragon before the opponent sent the ball, which also shows that Liverpool in the opening stage of the second half are more threatening and closer to scoring.
Villarreal only had 1 shot on goal in this game, which is also puzzling data, the manager should hope that the team will end in a draw, return to the home and then attack with all his might, but did not expect to lose 0-2 in the end. Relevant data show that Villarreal had 4 shots on goal and 1 shot on target in 23 shots, and the opponent had 4 shots on target in 23 shots, making the score 1-1. Villarreal's attacking end of the game against Liverpool was sluggish, and only one personnel adjustment was made in the lineup, and Gerard Moreno was replaced by Chukaze, who was a substitute in the last game against Bayern, but after a personnel adjustment, the team lost its domineering.
There is also a big gap between the data of the two teams in this round of matches, Liverpool shot 19-1, shot 5-0, save 0-5, intercept 15-5, 6-35, 73% to 27% possession, Alisson is indeed too relaxed, and Villarreal's goalkeeper is very busy and has defused many dangers, otherwise the team will lose by a big score, and the second leg will be even more suspenseful.
Liverpool's line-up was only three personnel differences from the last game against Everton, with Conat, Henderson and Luis Díaz replacing Matip, Keita and Jota, the last two playing more than 20 minutes off the bench with Origi, and Klopp also preparing for the weekend league. However, Alisson, Arnold, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Thiago, Henderson, Salah, Luis Díaz and Mane have started two consecutive games, and who can get a break in the league weekend is also very critical, because next week is the Champions League away battle, compared with the league, the Champions League game is more important, the core players still need to stay.
Compared with Salah and Mane, Díaz has been more prominent since joining this season, and he has also become a big favorite of Klopp, and the subsequent games are also key points. The new signing scored in the first leg of the quarter-final against Benfica, the team defeated the opponent 3-1, and not only did the second leg go smoothly, but some core players were rested, all because of the advantage of the first leg. In the previous two rounds of the league, Dias scored 1 goal and delivered 2 assists, and in this game, Dias had 5 shots on goal, 3 shots on target, 2 threatening passes, the overall play was in place, there were some regrets about not scoring, but this will not ignore the offensive threat of the general.
The reasonable rotation of Konat and Matip is also more able to play to the advantages of the two, the former in the previous Champions League quarter-final two legs of the first two legs, before the FA Cup against Manchester City also had a header goal, such a scoring point is also correct to start in this round of champions league. Klopp is not only a tactical master, but also in place to cultivate new talents and open up the potential of new signings, which is also the advantage of Liverpool's Champions League victory.
Both goals of the match were scored in the second half, with Alexander-Arnold's diagonal pass to help Díaz complete the header. Salah's straight ball was then met by Henderson's cross from the right that struck Estupina and flew into the net, breaking the deadlock as Liverpool's attack was even more threatening. Although Villarreal strengthened his defense against Salah, the latter still sent a straight ball in the multiplayer bag to assist Mane to seal the victory.
Salah scored four shots on goal, delivered one assist, passed two threatening passes and scored two goals. Mane played 73 minutes of the game, with 4 shots on goal, 1 shot on target, 1 threatening ball pass, and scoring a winning goal, the two true cores are indeed the key to Liverpool's victory, but Jota's recent performance has not been as good as these two, or it takes more experience to become the real core.
Liverpool will next play Newcastle away from home, the opponent is currently ranked 9th in the Premier League, 11 points less than Tottenham Hotspur in the European Zone, and the team still has the goal of competing for the top six in the league, so Liverpool can not take it lightly. Klopp replaced Henderson, Luis Díaz and Mane in the second half of the Champions League, so it was predicted that these guys would start, while Salah would be given a break or a chance to prepare for the second leg of the Champions League.