GOOD SAVE! That’s a top-class stop from Areola who, after having a difficult night, manages to get a strong hand to Lallana’s stinging effort, after the Liverpool man had made room for himself with a fine bit of footwork.
Another booking now for the visitors, as Suarez picks up a yellow card for a late tackle on Lallana.
90' +2
Lucas Leiva enters the game and replaces D. Sturridge.
A final substitution then for the hosts, as Daniel Sturridge is replaced by Lucas Leiva.
90' +1
Good effort! Well, Liverpool aren’t done yet, as they continue to attack at pace. This time, it is Allen who looks to make up for his earlier miss as he jinks in from the right and blasts a low effort on target, but Areola gets down to make the save.
89'
C. Benteke enters the game and replaces Roberto Firmino.
A second change now for the hosts, as Klopp winds down the clock - introducing Christian Benteke in place of the superb Roberto Firmino. The Brazilian receives a standing ovation as he leaves the field and gets a deserved rest for the last few moments of this tie.
87'
MISS! Well, it probably matters very little in the grand scheme of things, but Allen really soul have made it 4-0 then. It was another effortless counter-attack from the hosts, with Sturridge beating Villarreal’s sloppy attempt at an offside trap and bursting into the area. His finish is a poor one, with Areola parrying it back out into the area. The aforementioned former Swansea midfielder is on hand to latch onto it, but he can only slide his effort wide of the upright.
86'
As poor as Villarreal have been, it has been a supremely confident display from Liverpool this evening, and it seems that they are really beginning to find their identity under Juregn Klopp, as they look to ease towards Basel and the final of the Europa League!
82'
J. Allen enters the game and replaces Philippe Coutinho.
That goal also brings the first change of the game for the hosts, as Philippe Coutinho makes way for Joe Allen.
81'
A. Lallana has scored a goal for Liverpool! Assist by D. Sturridge.
Defensively, Villarreal have been awful this evening, and their weakness has been exposed expertly by Firmino, who was again the architect for that goal as he bettered his marker and slipped it into Sturridge. The striker’s effort was a poor one, and would have fallen into the grateful arms of Areola if not for the intervention of Lallana.
GOOOOAAAALLLLL!!! LALLANA GETS THE THIRD! That is surely game over now!? Finally, Liverpool have that vital third goal as Firmino - again the instigator - skips past Musacchio before slipping a low cross towards Sturridge. The former Chelsea man scuffs his effort, but it falls kindly into the feet of Lallana, who duly adjusts his feet to turn the ball over the line from two yards out, sending the Anfield crowd into raptures!
80'
HIGH AND WIDE! Again, Liverpool get the ball from back to front in direct, speedy fashion, with Sturridge talking the ball under his spell with a wonderful first touch. The England forward stands up Costa and Bonera, utilising his dribbling skills to engineer half-a-yard for himself, but his eventual strike is a poor one and flies well wide of the target.
78'
That could have been a penalty to Villarreal! Liverpool and, more specifically, Moreno, get extremely lucky there after - inexplicably so - the full-back decides to shove Suarez in the back after he had weaved his way into the area. It would perhaps have been a soft decision had the official awarded the spot-kick, but you have definitely seen them given!
Minute
Description
75'
For all their troubles in this match, Villarreal are still well in the tie, and know that just the one goal would still be enough to send them through into the final. However, they have failed to build any significant attack in open play since Lovren prevented Bakambu getting in on goal just after the interval, and with 10 men their task will be made even harder.
74'
CLOSE! Another sublime Liverpool move eventually culminates in Firmino thumping a rasping drive on target. It looks set to fly into the top-right corner, but Areola gets across to parry the effort wide.
73'
D. Bonera enters the game and replaces J. dos Santos.
A third and final change then for Villarreal, as Marcelino is forced to replace Dos Santos with Daniele Bonera in order to get the visitors’ defence back up to its full compliment following Ruiz’s dismissal.
72'
POOR! In spite of the presence of Sturridge, it is Coutinho who hammers the free-kick goalwards. However, his strike is a rather tame one, directed straight into the wall, and although Milner manages to latch onto the rebound and float a cross into Moreno, the Liverpool full-back is swiftly flagged offside.
71'
Víctor Ruiz gets a second yellow card and is sent off.
RED CARD! It gets worse for Villarreal! Despite conceding that second goal, the visitors were still well in the game thanks to only needing the one away goal to still win this tie. However, they may well have thrown that chance away now as Ruiz picks up a second yellow card after he dived in recklessly on Lallana on the edge of the area. Marcelino’s side have just not managed to control their emotions this evening, and they are paying the price, as Coutinho stands over the set-piece 20 yards from goal...
69'
Adrián López enters the game and replaces Soldado.
A second change now for Villarreal, as Adrian Lopez - who followed up his winner in the first leg with a goal and a fine performance against Valencia - replaces the ineffective Roberto Soldado.
66'
CLUMSY! Moments after Liverpool had squandered a great opportunity to further their lead with a quick-fire counter-attack that once again carved Villarreal open, the visitors manage to forge an attack of their own, with Bakambu picking up possession in the area. He looks all set to get a shot off as he attempts to twist away from Toure but, at the vital moment, he slips awkwardly and the chance goes begging!
63'
D. Sturridge has scored a goal for Liverpool! Assist by Roberto Firmino.
It was good work from Firmino in the build up, who always looks a danger when he cuts inside from his berth out on the right wing, and he has been rewarded for his efforts with a vital assist.
GOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLL!! STURRIDGE DOUBLES LIVERPOOL’S LEAD! That’s the breakthrough for the hosts, as Firmino picks up space on the cusp of Villarreal’s area and managers to squeeze a throughball into the feet of the England striker, who manages to beat the offside trap and hammer a low strike towards goal from close-range. Areola gets something on it, but can only direct the ball onto the inside of the left-hand post and watch as it trickles over the line in the opposite corner.
Good save! Impressive play from Liverpool, as Sturridge and Lallana link-up brilliantly to open Villarreal up on the counter. It results in the former getting in behind Villarreal’s defence, but Areola comes out to protect his goal with a fine stop.
62'
Appeals for a penalty now from Liverpool, as Lallana claims that his cross-cum-shot struck the hand of Ruiz, but the refer correctly waves away the shouts of the Reds’ players. It was another great move by the hosts. with Milner again the architect as he threaded a superb ball into the path of Lallana.
60'
Manu Trigueros enters the game and replaces Tomás Pina.
And indeed, the visitors do make that change, and it is a like-for-like switch, as Manuel Trigueros replaces Tomas Pina to partner Bruno - who has been extremley quiet so far this evening - at the heart of the visitors’ midfield.
59'
More well-worked, patient build-up play from Liverpool results in a corner down on the right flank. Milner again strolls over to stand over the set=piece, duly whipping in a fizzing delivery, but Soldado is well-positioned to head it clear at the near post, allowing time for Villarreal to make the first substitution of the game...
56'
CHANCE! That should have been on target! Villarreal may have been poor this evening, but they have threatened the Liverpool goal when they’ve got forward. And, once more, they found joy as, after Soldado was fouled down on the right, Dos Santos picked out the ex-Valencia forward with a sublime cross from the resulting free-kick. However, despite being unmarked, the aforementioned striker can only direct his looping header wide of the target.
53'
After initially coming out of the blocks quickly following the restart, Villarreal have been pushed back somewhat now and seem to be retreating deeper and deeper into their own territory. Soldado and Bakambu, however, are remaining high up the pitch in the hope of catching the hosts cold on the counter, but that is only resulting in Milner and Can being able to dictate the tempo in midfield, and coming under no pressure when doing so.
51'
Almost! That’s fantastic play from Milner, who has been in inspired form this evening. The former Manchester City midfielder takes a series of top-quality touches to engineer some room for himself on the edge of Villarreal’s area, before proceeding to drive an effort towards the target. However, it is directed straight at Areola, who gets down to make a comfortable stop.
50'
CLOSE! Areola seemed to have regained his composure as the first half drew to a close, but once again he seems all at sea as, after initially making a fine save to prevent Sturridge netting with a powerful shot to the near post, fails to punch clear Milner’s cross from the resulting corner. For a brief moment, it looks as though Lallana is going to latch onto the rebound, but the ball falls out of reach of the Liverpool playmaker and Suarez is able to hook it clear.
48'
Great defending at both ends of the pitch now, as first, Lovren again comes to the rescue for Liverpool as he intercepts Bakambu’s pass before it reaches Suarez. He proceeds to drive out from defence, sliding a ball crisply out to Coutinho, who powers into the area before feeding Sturridge, but his cross is deflected out by Musacchio.
47'
SUPERB DEFENDING! Top-quality play from Villarreal as, immediately from kick-off, Soldado and Bakambu combine to get the latter in behind Liverpool’s defence. The DR Congo striker looks all set to tuck home a finish past Mignolet but, at the very last moment, Lovren comes across to steal the ball away from the Villarreal man with a terrific sliding tackle.
46'
Welcome back! The second half is under way at Anfield! Unless the scoreline remains as it is, this game cannot go to extra-time - and possibly penalties - this evening which means, in all likelihood, this tie should be settled in the next 45 minutes...
45'
CHANCE! Bakambu should have done better there! That really was a massive opportunity for Villarreal. as the striker found himself free in the area after being fed by Dos Santos. The visitors’ top-scorer turns an effort goalwards, but he fails to make anything other than a tame connection, and Mignolet is well-placed to make the save.
42'
Finally, Villarreal manage to force a brief spell of pressure after they manage to smuggle the ball clear following another well-worked Liverpool attack. Surprisingly, it is Ruiz who leads the charge - the burly defender driving forward and sweeping it out wide to Dos Santos, who instead of trying to pick out Bakambu, elects to move the ball infield and retain possession.
40'
Soldado gets yellow.
That’s another booking for the visitors, as the refer correctly deems that a petulant, late lunge from Soldado on Coutinho was worthy of a yellow card. The visitors will be thinking that half-time cannot come quickly enough, and Marcelino will need to re-organise his side in order for them to regain their composure and take the sting out of Liverpool’s rather rampant attack. They are certainly capable of troubling their hosts going forward, with Klopp’s side having kept just one clean sheet in their last 11 fixtures.
39'
That’s better goalkeeping from Areola who, just moments after coming out confidently to claim a Milner corner, he rises highest while under pressure from Lallana to hold onto a floated delivery from Firmino. The Villarreal shot-stopper looks as though he has finally found his feet in this tie now...
38'
Liverpool are really upping the tempo again now as they press for a second goal before the interval, with Villarreal unable to string any meaningful move together going forward. From Marcelino’s point of view, he will just be hoping that his side can make it to half-time without suffering any further damage...
35'
N. Clyne gets yellow.
There is a yellow card now, however, for a Liverpool player, as Clyne picks up a booking for a clumsy tackle on Soldado. There appeared to be little in the challenge, though it seems that the official is simply wishing to put a lid on any ‘over-the-top’ aggression before this game gets out of his control...
33'
Another flashpoint now, as Soldado unnecessarily flicks out at Lovren after he was fouled by the Liverpool man. There was little other than amateur dramatics on show from both players, and the referee duly decides to avoid reaching for his cards and instead indicates that they must calm down.
32'
CHANCE! It’s another superb delivery by Milner, who picks out the head of Lovren with a flat cross from the right, but the Croatia defender can only manage to direct a floated header straight down the throat of Areola, who this time makes no mistake with an easy save.
30'
Víctor Ruiz gets yellow.
A first yellow card of the night now, as Victor Ruiz goes into the book for dissent. The Villarreal defender believed that his teammate Bakambu had been fouled in the build-up to Liverpool’s most recent attack, which resulted in a corner that Milner is preparing to take, but the official is having none of it.
29'
Clever play from Firmino results in a corner on the right for the hosts, that Milner floats in. Villarreal manage to clear their lines, however, and kick-start a swift counter-attack, with Suarez leading the charge. For a moment, it appears as though he is going to get through on goal, but Lovren gets across to make a timely challenge and clear the danger.
28'
A pause in play now, as Moreno stays down on the turf following a hefty collision with Mario Gaspar. The Liverpool physios look set to come on and treat the stricken full-back, but the former Sevilla man waves them away as he makes his way, rather groggily, back to his feet.
26'
GREAT DEFENDING! That’s a superb bit of covering play by Pina, who gets back to prevent Can latching onto a brilliantly taken corner by Milner that had once again left Areola in no man’s land. The Villarreal goalkeeper really is struggling this evening...
25'
Defensively, Villarreal are usually so strong, but so far this evening that has certainly not been the case. Musacchio is an experiences, quality defender, but he does not seem to have as strong a partnership with Ruiz as the injured Baily does. That, combined with the shaky display of their goalkeeper, is meaning that Liverpool are having plenty of joy from crosses into the area. And the hosts have another opportunity to put the visitors under pressure now, as Ruiz concedes a corner on the left.
23'
A slight cause for concern now for Liverpool, as their captain Milner continues to hobble around the field following a collision with Ruiz. However, he is carrying on for the time being, at least, after indicating to Klopp that he does not wish to have his night cut short.
21'
It has been a top-class start from the Reds so far, who are having a lot of joy with their high-intensity pressing game. Key to that so far has been the presence of Can, who is sitting in front of the hosts’ defence and allowing Milner to get further forward and link up with Liverpool’s four-pronged attack.
19'
Last week, Liverpool’s main defensive problems came down their left flank, with the full-back on that side - Alberto Moreno - consistently failing to track back and cover the space, leaving it open for Villarreal to exploit. Once again, that issue re-occurs, as Soldado slips a ball out to Dos Santos. The former Barca midfielder looks set to get a shot away, but Toure gets across brilliantly to make a fantastic, last-ditch challenge and steward the ball out of play.
17'
STAT FLASH - Villarreal’s only victory in their previous six trips to England in European competition was against Liverpool’s city rivals Everton, back in the qualifying stages of the 2005/06 Champions League. They went on to reach the semi-finals of that competition, only to be knocked-out by eventual runners-up Arsenal. Can the Yellow Submarine overcome this early defecit and buck their poor trend of results against English opposition?
14'
News in now from the other semi-final, with Kevin Gameiro having nudged Sevilla ahead against Shakhtar. There only appears to be one team who look as if they are to go on and win this tie at the moment, and that is undoubtedly the hosts, but if Villarreal can keep the score like this and eventually regain a foothold in proceedings, we will be set for a superb game.
12'
SO CLOSE! Villarreal are really under the cosh at the moment, as Liverpool press with a rapid intensity. Bakambu attempts to hold the ball up for the visitors, but Lovren is able to dispossess him with a well-timed tackle. The loose ball falls to Milner, who immediately slides a wonderful throughball into the path of Lallana. The former Southampton playmaker nudges the ball on to goal with the slightest of touches, but it skims just inches wide of the left-hand upright.
10'
Well, so far it has been a horrid return to action for Areola. Villarreal have bene rotating their goalkeepers throughout the campaign, but it did seem a rather strange decision to replace the more experienced Asenjo with his younger counterpart as, once again, the PSG loanee fumbles an easy catch in the area. However, this time he is let off as the referee awards a free-kick to Villarreal, deeming that Firmino had committed a foul on the aforementioned shot-stopper.
7'
Bruno is unfortunate, scores an own goal!
GOOOOOAAAAALLLLL!!! LIVERPOOL TAKE THE LEAD! Well, what a start that is for the hosts as, just moments after Villarreal went close at the other end, Areola once again flaps at a cross and Firmino is able to drill a return ball back across the face of goal. It evades the lunge of Sturridge but, wickedly for the visitors, takes a horrible deflection off their captain Bruno and trickles into the bottom-right corner. Liverpool 1-0 Villarreal!
6'
CLOSE! Again, Liverpool are exposed on the counter as Bakambu drives at the heart of their defence. He takes it round Lovren and Toure, before slipping off a pass into the feet of Dos Santos, but the Mexico midfielder can only loft his effort over the bar.
5'
SAVE! That’s a great reaction stop from Mignolet, who gets down low to his right to prevent Gaspar netting with a venomous effort after the visitors had managed to open up Liverpool’s defence with a crisp counter-attack.
3'
What an error from Areola! The Villarreal goalkeeper, who came back into the side against Valencia following a short spell on the bench, gets off fortunately there after he spills what seemed to be a simple cross from Firmino. The ball almost falls to Sturridge, but the young Frenchman manages to recover swiftly and atone for his mistake.
1'
KICK-OFF! We are underway at Anfield as Liverpool get proceedings up and running on the whistle of referee Viktor Kassai. He previously officiated the 2011 Champions League final between Manchester United and Barcelona at Wembley.
A final substitution now from Klopp, as he takes off Daniel Sturridge and introduces Lucas Leiva for the final few moments.
Hello football fans, and welcome to what promises to be a thrilling game this evening, as Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool take on Villarreal in the second leg of their Europa League semi-final. The Reds come into the Anfield clash having conceded in second-half stoppage time of last week’s first leg at El Madrigal, but having managed to come from behind to defy the odds and overhaul Borussia Dortmund in the last round, the Merseyside’s will be confident of making it to their first European final since 2007.
Much like how the other semi-final in this year’s competition - between current holders Sevilla, on the verge of making their third final in as many seasons, and Ukranian giants Shakhtar Donetsk - is perfectly poised on a 2-2 aggregate score heading into the second-leg, the tie at Anfield is in an equally delicate position. An early strike for the hosts may well see Villarreal’s yellow wall crumble, though if Marcelino’s side can hold firm and frustrate their hosts, they are also more than capable of posing a threat at the other end of the field. With Manchester City having slumped out of the Champions League yesterday, Liverpool represent the Premier League’s only hope of success in Europe this season, while, should Villarreal and Sevilla both manage to triumph, they will replicate the feat of their La Liga rival Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid in making setting up another all-Spanish final.
Klopp’s men put in a near-faultless display in Spain last time out, but slack defending in the dying embers of the match allowed Denis Suarez to race in behind Kolo Toure and coolly tee-up former Atletico Madrid striker Adrian Lopez, who made no mistake with the finish to give Marcelino’s side the advantage heading into the second leg. However, the Reds followed that disappointment up with a lacklustre display in a 3-1 Premier League defeat to Swansea City on Sunday, and their German manager has demanded an improved showing from his side this evening. And history is certainly on the side of Liverpool, it seems, with the Merseyside’s having progressed from three of their previous five semi-finals in European competition after losing the first leg away from home, as well as having won their last seven home second leg ties - conceding just one goal in the process.
Meanwhile, Villarreal, who look set to seal fourth spot in La Liga following another impressive domestic campaign, were far from at their best last week, but Marcelino will take confidence from the fact that, in spite of their somewhat laboured performance, they still managed to snatch the victory. A solid start will be key this evening if they are to get a result, while an away goal will also be on the agenda, and despite their struggles in the first leg they have certainly had no issue with finding the back of the net. The visitors, who comfortably dispatched a resurgent Valencia in their most recent league outing, have failed to score in just one of their last 32 matches (including qualifiers) in this competition, while their leading goalscorer, Cedric Bakambu, is behind only Athletic Bilbao’s Artiz Aduriz in the Europa League 2015/16 scoring charts.
Let’s check on the team news from Anfield now, which has just come in. We’ll start off with the home side…
With several key players, including Jordan Henderson, Divock Origi and Mamadou Sakho,s till missing through either injury or suspension, Klopp has made just the two changes to the side that started at El Madrigal last week. Up front, and ahead of an interchangeable advanced-midfield three of Adam Lallana, Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino, Daniel Sturridge comes in and gets the responsibility of being the hosts’ main attacking threat as the ex-Dortmund coach switches from a 4-3-3 system to a 4-2-3-1 set-up, with Lucas Leiva one of the holding midfield players to drop to the bench. He is joined there by Joe Allen, who despite putting in a solid display last Thursday makes way for the returning Emre Can - the German having overcome an ankle injury to take part this evening. Although he scored in the defeat to Swansea there is, however, no place in the starting XI for Christian Benteke, with the former Aston Villa forward again having to settle for a substitute role.
TEAM NEWS - Liverpool substitutes: Benteke, Lucas, Allen, Ibe, Skrtel, Smith, Ward.
TEAM NEWS - Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Mignolet; Clyne, Toure, Lovren, Moreno; Milner, Can; Firmino, Coutinho, Lallana; Sturridge.
Marcelino, on the other hand, has also made just the two alterations to the team that took to the pitch in the first leg. One of those changes is enforced, with Ivory Coast defender Eric Bailly - who put in a dominant display last week until limping off with a hamstring strain - not recovering in time to feature this evening. He is replaced in the starting XI by Mateo Musacchio, while Paris Saint-Germain loanee goalkeeper Alphonse Areola takes the place of Sergio Asenjo. It is a typical 4-4-2 set-up for the visitors, though it is likely that former Tottenham striker Roberto Soldado will drop into a more traditional second-striker role in order to, along with ex-Barcelona duo Denis Suarez and Jonathan dos Santos, provide the ammunition for Bakambu.
TEAM NEWS - Villarreal (4-4-2): Areola; Gaspar, Musacchio, Ruiz, Costa; Dos Santos, Pina, Bruno, Suarez; Soldado, Bakambu.
Villarreal have specialised in holding onto leads they have taken from the first legs of their knock-out ties so far in this tournament. In the round of 32, they saw off an in-form Napoli, before bettering Bayer Leverkusen and Sparta Praha to reach the last four. Liverpool’s path to the semi-finals has also been a tough one, though their defeat last Thursday was their first in this season’s European campaign.
A poignant moment now, as the first game at Anfield since the families of the 96 victims of the Hillsborough were rewarded in their 27-year fight for justice is marked by the live performance of Liverpool’s ironing anthem ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone. With even the Villarreal fans joining in, it really is a special moment on Merseyside.
It is a full house at Anfield, with the Liverpool faithful hoping to witness yet another legendary European night at their home ground. Villarreal, bidding to reach their first-ever European final, have brought over 2000 fans with them from Spain, and it really is set up for a fantastic, fast-paced and thrilling encounter.
The Europa League anthem is blaring out at Anfield, but it can barley be heard as the home support drown it out with a continuation of their pre-match anthem. The atmosphere really is super as we edge ever closer to kick-off...
HALF-TIME! Well, that Bakambu chance was the last action of the first half, as the official brings the opening 45 minutes to a close. It has been a superb display by the hosts up to this point, and they deservedly have the lead courtesy of Bruno’s own-goal. However, despite all their pressure, Liverpool have at times looked vulnerable in defence, with Gaspar, Dos Santos and Bakambu all going close.
Liverpool started in frantic fashion and, after Mignolet was forced into action to deny Gaspar at the other end, they had the lead when Bruno inadvertently turned the ball into the back of his own net. Klopp’s men did not settle after taking the lead and levelling the tie, however, and continued to mount the pressure on Villarreal’s goal, with Lallana and Lovren both having chances to double their tally. For Liverpool, their manager will simply be asking for more of the same, with a bit more of a clinical edge thrown in in regards to their finishing. However, for Marcelino, he has a lot of work to do if he is to get his Villarreal side to regain their composure and attempt to stamp some authority on proceedings.
FULL TIME! It’s all over at Anfield, where Liverpool have swept aside Villarreal to proceed into the Europa League final! It was a dominant performance from Jurgen Klopp’s side, who will face the current holders Sevilla in Basel on the 18th of May!
It is an electric atmosphere at Anifeld, as the players rightly stay out to celebrate on the turf in front of the Kop end. Villarreal simply never lived up to the occasion this evening, but the same can certainly not be said for Liverpool. They played with such intensity, such passion and determination, right from the off, that - as soon as Bruno turned the ball into the back of his net seven minutes in - the result never really seemed in any doubt.
Villarreal, in spite of their lacklustre showing, did have their chances in this game, but Daniel Sturridge’s goal midway through the second-half, combined with the dismissal of Victor Ruiz, all-but ended the tie and, with their visitors down-and-out, Adam Lallana was on hand to tuck home the third goal and send the Reds into the final!
Well, that’s all we’ve got time for from Anfield, where, in Klopp’s first season at the helm, Liverpool have set up a Europa League final clash against Sevilla on Wednesday May 18, courtesy of a dominant 3-0 (3-1 on aggregate) victory over Villarreal. Until next time, thank you and goodbye!
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