Liverpool into Champions League final after stunning semi-final surge against Villarreal

Liverpool came from two goals down to beat Villarreal 3-2 in Spain on Wednesday (AEST) and advance to their third Champions League final in five years.

Fabinho celebrates with teammate Mohamed Salah of Liverpool after scoring their team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg match against Villarreal at Estadio de la Ceramica. Picture: Aitor Alcalde - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images

Liverpool always find a way. This remarkable, resilient side of Jurgen Klopp’s are adept at finding a way through the wind and the rain and they had to here. On a stormy night, they made heavy weather of seeing off Villarreal, who led 2-0 at the break, but Liverpool’s greater strength in depth paid off as Luis Diaz sprinted on to change the mood and the game.

The Colombian was full of running, twisting and turning Villarreal defenders, and creating space for his Liverpool team-mates. Diaz was the adrenaline shot Liverpool needed. Gone was the lethargy that had stained their first-half labours. The real Liverpool stood up, and swept the spirited Spaniards aside.

The second half was one for the memory bank and the result one for the history books. And so Liverpool reached their tenth European Cup/Champions League final, their third final in five seasons under Klopp. This was also their first away win in a European Cup semi-final since prevailing at Panathinaikos in 1985. Goals from Fabinho, Diaz and Sadio Mane made it 150 in Europe under Klopp but they had to work so hard.

For 45 minutes, Liverpool had been anaemic. For a half, they could not cope with Villarreal’s intensity. Liverpool surrendered the ball, they were exposed by attacks behind their full backs. Only when Klopp addressed his players at the break did they respond. Only when Diaz arrived for the second period, and began pushing Villarreal back, did they tide turn.

Luis Diaz’s introduction changed the game for Liverpool. Picture: Paul Ellis/AFP

They find a way. This remarkable Liverpool side keep rising to the challenge. Diaz was the catalyst, but Fabinho and Mane also responded. This is Liverpool under Klopp, the “mentality monsters” who always respond to adversity.

For 45 minutes, this was a huge test of Liverpool’s character. This had been a different Villarreal, a far more dangerous animal than the timid creature who looked almost scared at Anfield last week.

“We have 90 minutes to achieve our dream,” was the message spelled out in the fans’ banners, and their players understood. This was their chance, a rare shot of glory, of ambushing Liverpool. Where they sat back on Merseyside, Villarreal flowed forward as relentlessly as the rain had descended all day here.

Liverpool could not live with Villarreal’s intensity in the first half and took a deserved lead through Boulaye Dia and Francis Coquelin. They overwhelmed Liverpool in midfield. They ripped holes in Liverpool’s defence. Arnaut Danjuma was out but Gerard Moreno returned, his right knee bearing some strapping, and he soon required even more medical assistance, binding up his right thigh, as he continued to lead the charge at Liverpool’s alarmed defence.

Moreno immediately gave Unai Emery’s side a central focus, a cutting edge. He was soon pulling right, releasing Coquelin, and Liverpool failed to clear. Pervis Estupinan kept the move alive, gaining a yard on Keita and crossing from the left to the far post.

Etienne Capoue darted in ahead of Andy Robertson, plumes of rain-water spraying up as he launched himself at the ball. Alisson had to commit himself, charging across and throwing himself in an attempt to guard the post, but Capoue selflessly squared to Dia. It was rare to see Virgil van Dijk so caught out. He was back on his heels as Dia advanced to Capoue’s cross, striking it into the empty net. Alisson could not recover in time.

He had a right to escape greater protection. Keita, Robertson and Van Dijk all let their man go. Liverpool’s defensive command, reflected in 31 clean sheets in their previous 56 games, seemed a myth.

Liverpool were struggling so much, and Villarreal flooding through midfield so easily, that Van Dijk was shouting at his midfield to sharpen after 21 minutes.

Villareal led 2-0 at half-time. Picture: David Ramos/Getty Images

Still the mistakes continued. This usually smooth Liverpool machine was spluttering. Mane gave the ball away. Thiago Alcantara overhit a pass to Mane. Fabinho tripped Capoue. Van Dijk fouled Moreno. The litany of errors grew. Mo Salah, usually so accurate, missed Diogo Jota’s run. Ibrahima Konate wasted a delivery, gifting the ball to Villarreal.

With six minutes to the break, and from another Keita mistake, Moreno sent Giovani Lo Celso through the middle. He ran towards Alisson, who targeted the ball and his sliding body caught Lo Celso. The Dutch referee, Danny Makkelie, signalled that Lo Celso initiated the contact but it was a surprise that VAR did not become more involved.

Villarreal were enraged by Makkelie’s refusal to punish Alisson but they simply poured all their emotions into pulling level. Within two minutes, they had the goal their pressure deserved. Capoue again beat Robertson, turning inside and lifting a cross in left-footed. Trent Alexander-Arnold was far too static, allowing Coquelin to rise and steer his header in.

The Villarreal fans were now frenziedly twirling their yellow scarves, continuing to give their players deafening support. The Estadio de la Ceramica, still the Madrigal to many, is not the most intimidating of venues but it certainly can whip up an atmosphere.

Klopp now had 15 minutes to shake his players into life. He made one change, sending on Diaz for Diogo Jota, and it was a surprise that Jordan Henderson did not come on for Keita.

But Diaz made the difference. He was irrepressible, charging down the left, cutting into the box, sending a volley over and always stretching Villarreal. Liverpool’s pressure told after 62 minutes when Fabinho touched the ball right to Salah, and took the return. He could have squared it but instead powered it past Geronimo Rulli.

Fabinho’s opener put Liverpool back on course. Picture: Paul Ellis/AFP

Liverpool celebrated wildly, subs spilling on to the pitch, some of their fans showing in home areas. The life began going out of Villarreal. Capoue clattered Fabinho and was booked. Diaz hit a post and then scored after 67 minutes. Alexander-Arnold swept in a cross, and there was Diaz, timing his run perfectly, steering his header past Rulli.

Liverpool were now in complete control, as strong and precise now as they had been disjointed before Diaz came on. With 15 minutes remaining, Liverpool completely silenced the Estadio de la Ceramica. Rulli went awol, Mane seized the ball, danced round Juan Foyth and shot into the empty net.

Having lost the tie, Villarreal lost their discipline. Pau Torres was booked for a cynical clattering of Mane. Capoue walked for a second yellow, this time for a foul on Henderson, who had finally replaced Keita. Villareal knew their dream was over. Liverpool’s quadruple ambitions remain alive.

- The Times

Originally published as Liverpool into Champions League final after stunning semi-final surge against Villarreal