In the Champions League semi-finals, Liverpool's opponent is this season's big dark horse Villarreal, compared to Manchester City and Real Madrid Star Wars, the suspense of this set of matches is almost nothing. The only suspense is how Liverpool won the game in the most effortless way possible.
After all, the Reds are going to impact the unprecedented this season, and it is estimated that it will be difficult to have the great cause of the "four champions" of the comers.
Given the strong blessings given to Liverpool by Anfield, Villarreal manager Emery has chosen the "swing bus" very pragmatically, considering the excellent main offensive ability of Alexander-Arnold and Robertson, chukwuze and Danjuma are responsible for assisting the defense of the flanks. Emery's "bus" is more like a 4-6-0 than Simeone's 5-5-0 at the Etihad.
In Anfield's oppressive atmosphere, Villarreal is really like a submarine, facing the attack of Liverpool's "sea, land and air" trinity, diving into the deep sea and unable to hide.
In view of the painful precedent of Juve and Bayern out of the cold, Klopp did not rush forward, but took it step by step and played steadily. After the opening, the Red Army pressed forward as a whole, and the three lines were kept quite compact, trapping Huang Qian in his own half with an impermeable net.
As a result, the deadliest spiritual counterattack in Emery's tactics could not be used, and the yellow submarine could only rely on tenacious defense to resist the fierce attack of the Red Army.
In the first half, the Reds methodically fired 12 shots at Huang Qian's goal, not counting several threatening penetrating passes. Although it failed to knock on the ten-finger mark of Yellow Goalkeeper Lully, this wave of attacks has exhausted Emery's proud defense.
Although none of the 12 shots were scored, whether it was coach Klopp, or the Reds soldiers, or even the Reds fans on the scene, they were not impatient, not in a hurry, and full of confidence in winning.
Under Liverpool's strong control, Villarreal only had one chance to face the goal in the first half and flew away. Alisson became the most idle player in both teams, and if he could, he could even abandon the door and run to the opponent's penalty area to jump around.
Under the continuous attack and oppression of the Red Army, the yellow submarine finally could not hold back and surfaced.
In the 53rd minute, Salah went straight, captain Henderson broke through and crossed diagonally, the ball hit Estupinian and deflected and hoisted into the far corner. Under the pressure of Liverpool's suffocating attack, Villarreal's defense collapsed in a self-exploding manner.
While the Villarreal players were still fretting over the goal conceded, Salah was again a straight foot, and Mane suddenly started to shake off the defense and poke the ball into the goal before Lulli could strike.
Scoring two goals in three minutes, Liverpool naturally turned their advantage into a winning position. Emery also tried to direct Villarreal to launch a final counterattack to close the score gap and preserve the possibility of promotion, but under the planning that Klopp had already anticipated, Liverpool did not give this opponent any chance.
In the second half, Villarreal, who was eager to score, shot 0 times on goal, and Alisson was still the most non-existent player in the whole game, but it was the same for everyone.
In view of the difference in strength between the two sides is really a huge disparity visible to the naked eye, after a 2-goal lead, the Red Army did not chase after the fierce fight, Klopp dispatched troops, Mingjin collected troops, and returned to the camp in victory.
Although Villarreal was last season's Europa League winner and this season's Champions League Final Four, this Champions League semi-final is not as difficult for Liverpool as a Premier League match against a relegated team. Those fans who are looking forward to the la Liga doubles will be sober, and in the face of absolute strength, there is no miracle to speak of, especially if the bottom of the family has been clarified.
The Red Army, thousands of rivers and mountains are just waiting for idleness... And they haven't made a difference yet...