Reds Sink Villarreal

It was the perfect game of two halves. Liverpool seemed to come out a little nervous; and that was exactly how it played out; as Villarreal played out the half of their lives to bamboozle Liverpool and even the tie on aggregate.

It was the most un-Liverpool like half you have ever seen from them: passes were going astray; defence was looking timid; playing out of defence looking a shambles. When ex-Charlton loanee Francis Coquelin soared above a static Trent Alexander-Arnold to head home their second; it looked like the Miracle Of Villarreal was well underway.

Something happened in the half-time team talk; because for the second half; it was exactly the opposite. Villarreal were unable to keep the energy and pressing; and Liverpool reverted to their usual selves. Their passing and confidence was getting so ominous; that when Fabinho scored with a hopeful drive in the 62nd minute; it looked like it was coming.

It must be said that Argentinian international Geronimo Rulli did not cover himself in glory with that shot; and he was to blame again after coming out wildly for a long ball that left Sadio Mane free to score the final third. Liverpool had proven themselves able to come back from the ashes; with Luis Diaz a key figure after coming on for the ineffective Diogo Jota. The Quadruple dream is still on.