Villarreal vs Liverpool LIVE: Champions League result and final score after Luis Diaz turns semi-final around
Villarreal 2-3 Liverpool (Liverpool win 5-2 on aggregate): Follow for live reaction from a thrilling night in the Champions League as the Reds progressed to the final
Follow live reaction as Liverpool progressed to the Champions League final after seeing off a thrilling comeback from Villarreal thanks to second-half goals from Fabinho, Luis Diaz and Sadio Mane.
The noise in El Madrigal before kick-off ensured it would be an intimidating atmosphere for Liverpool, who led 2-0 after last week’s first leg at Anfield, and an early goal from Boulaye Dia inside three minutes gave Villarreal a perfect start.
Liverpool were sloppy in what was their poorest first half of the season and when Francis Coquelin’s header levelled the tie shortly before the break it was no less than Villarreal deserved.
But it was all change after half-time, with Diaz making an impact from the bench. Fabinho fired between goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli’s legs to put the Reds ahead once again, before Diaz scored a header from close range to restore Liverpool’s two-goal lead.
Mane confirmed the win as he went round the goalkeeper to score Liverpool’s third goal in 12 minutes, which keeps Jurgen Klopp’s hopes of an unprecedented quadruple alive.
Liverpool will play either Manchester City or Real Madrid in the Paris final on May 28. Relive the action from a dramatic Champions League semi-final below.
Villarreal 1 - 0 Liverpool (1-2 agg)
21 mins: A quick counter-attack from Villarreal sees Gerard Moreno played into the right side of the box into space behind Andy Robertson. He fires across a pass towards the middle of the area but Van Dijk blocks and clears it before the offside flag goes up against Moreno.
Liverpool look very shaky over these opening 20 minutes or so.
Villarreal 1 - 0 Liverpool (1-2 agg)
18 mins: Francis Coquelin goes to ground in the middle of the pitch in a heap of theatrics and the referee isn’t fooled. He lets play go on and Trent Alexander-Arnold flicks a pass over the top to play Sadio Mane in behind through the middle. Mane attempts to control the ball on his chest but gets flagged offside and the attack breaks down.
Villarreal 1 - 0 Liverpool (1-2 agg)
15 mins: The ball comes to Gerard Moreno in the middle of the pitch and he flicks it over Konate’s head just as Virgil van Dijk comes across to tackle him. He leaves a bit too much on the Villarreal forward and gives away a free kick.
The home side work it nicely into the penalty area where Moreno wins it in the air and fires a headed effort at goal that Andy Robertson blocks.
Villarreal 1 - 0 Liverpool (1-2 agg)
12 mins: Liverpool win a free kick on the inside left channel and Andy Robertson is the man to curl one into the box. His cross goes over the head of Keita and bounces just in front of Diogo Jota. Jota gets a touch to the ball but can’t control it and the effort goes wide.
At the other end of the pitch, Liverpool scramble the ball out of their own penalty area but it bounces through to Dani Parejo. He fires off a snapshot and pulls it wide of the right-hand post!
Villarreal 1 - 0 Liverpool (1-2 agg)
9 mins: Virgil van Dijk fires a diagonal pass over to the Trent Alexander-Arnold on the right wing. He knocks it down to Naby Keita who flicks it over the Villarreal defence with his first touch. Mo Salah isn’t expecting that pass and doesn’t make a run in behind then lifts his hand in apology.
Liverpool haven’t settled into the game yet.
Villarreal 1 - 0 Liverpool (1-2 agg)
6 mins: It was sloppy defending from Liverpool and they’ll need to respond after going behind. Villarreal have been more aggressive over these opening minutes. They’ve pressed well and scored the goal they needed.
Liverpool need to take control of the ball and quiet down the crowd now.
GOAL! Villarreal 1 - 0 Liverpool (1-2 agg) - Dia, 3'⚽️
3 mins: What a start! Francis Coquelin whips a cross in from the right side but can’t pick out a teammate in the Liverpool box. Pervis Estupinan keeps the ball alive on the opposite wing and curls a quick cross back into the middle. Etienne Capoue drifts around the back of Andy Robertson and meets the ball on the volley. He passes it back into the six-yard box where Boulaye Dia nips in front of Ibrahima Konate and guides it home!
Just the start Villarreal needed.
Kick off: Villarreal 0 - 0 Liverpool (0-2 agg)
Sadio Mane kicks of the Champions League semi-final second leg. It’s been raining over the stadium all day but now the weather has cleared but the turf is still wet.
Andy Robertson is fed the ball and his forward pass is cleared by Pau Torres.
Villarreal vs Liverpool
The stadium is packed and the Villarreal fans are in full voice. It’s going to be an uncomfortable night for Liverpool in front of these supporters.
Here come the players. Can Villarreal score early and put the pressure on the Reds? Let’s find out.
Unai Emery admits Villarreal must ‘play a perfect game’ to overcome Liverpool in Champions League semi-final
Villarreal manager Unai Emery admits his side need to play the perfect game if they are to shock Liverpool to reach the club’s first Champions League final.
Trailing 2-0 from a one-sided first leg, the former Arsenal boss was reminded their opponents had lost just three of 56 matches in a quadruple-chasing season.
“I didn’t want to hear those details but I did,” he said. “It is a difficult task but we are working on the game.”
Unai Emery admits Villarreal must ‘play a perfect game’ to overcome Liverpool
Unai Emery is hoping his LaLiga team can shock the Reds in the Champions League semi-final second leg
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