“Just another Thiago Alcantara masterclass”- Twitter erupts after Liverpool convincingly wins the first-leg tie of the Champions League 2021-22 semi-finals against Villarreal

“Just another Thiago Alcantara masterclass”- Twitter erupts after Liverpool convincingly wins the first-leg tie of the Champions League 2021-22 semi-finals against Villarreal

Thiago Alcantara

Liverpool hosted Villareal in the Champions League semifinal first-leg clash against Villarreal and the Merseyside team won the match 2-0 at Anfield. Two quick goals in the second half from an own goal and Sadio Mane’s goal helped them take the lead on aggregate. The two sides remained goalless in the first half until the deadlock was broken by Jordan Henderson’s deflected cross that got deflected by Estupinan and went past Rulli. 

Klopp’s side had a great dominance over the Spanish side from the beginning as the English side kept a 73% ball possession and took a total of 19 shots on goal to Villarreal’s just one. The stats clearly show the dominance with which Liverpool played. The Reds will take a two-goal advantage as they head to Spain next week at El Madrigal, and look to reach the final of the competition.

Here are some of the Twitter posts that were posted after the night’s match in the champions league: 

FS Video

Sadio Mane equals the record of Didier Drogba as the highest African goalscorer in the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League with 14 goals. Sadio Mane extended Liverpool’s lead to two after a cross came in from Salah and he was clearly onside before he finished the ball at the back of the net. He also becomes the first Liverpool player with the highest number of goals in UCL knockout matches.

Alisson was just a spectator in the game at Anfield as his side’s defenders didn’t force the goalkeeper to make any save in the match. Van Dijk, Henderson, Konate, were all on top of the Villarreal attackers as Alisson had nothing to do in the game with zero saves and zeon chances created.
https://twitter.com/DadieSlim/status/1519418501559205889?t=D6JXpqLgc-NHhQBiwrislg&s=08

Liverpool vs Villarreal: As the match happened

Liverpool
Liverpool

Liverpool had the recent first half but couldn’t capitalize on their attacks and thus ended the first 45-minutes 0-0 against a ‘poor’ Villarreal side. Unai Emery’s side failed to create any chances or opportunities to test Alisson but did well to keep Liverpool away from scoring till the first 52 minutes. Liverpool got back into the game from Henderson’s deflected cross that inched past Rulli after he gets a fingertip to the ball. A few minutes later, Mane extended their lead to 2-0 from Salah’s assist which helped the Merseyside to move to Spain in a very advantageous position.

Liverpool will next play Newcastle United in their race for the Premier League title. They will look to maintain their gap with Manchester City and hope Guardiola’s side loses points, a thing that will open up their chances of lifting the cup. They also play Chelsea in the FA Cup final soon.

Also Read: WATCH: When Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard’s unfortunate slip helped Manchester City clinch the Premier League title eight years ago