Liverpool came back brilliantly from the first leg deficit they carried into Anfield to qualify for the UEFA Europa League final with a 3-0 second leg and 3-1 overall victory. An early own goal from captain Bruno Soriano left Villarreal with their first leg lead wiped out.
Goals from Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana later meant that the Reds gained a healthy lead going into the last few minutes of the game as Villarreal had no way back into the match.
Let’s have a look at the game’s talking points.
#1 Daniel Sturridge proves again that he is Liverpool’s main man
Daniel Sturridge has been left on the bench a little too often of late. After going through a horror of an injury-affected season, you would think his return to fitness would have made him an automatic choice for a starting spot.
However, that has not been the case in light of Divock Origi’s sudden renaissance under Jurgen Klopp. Even with the Belgian out with injury, Klopp has seemingly preferred the work rate of Roberto Firmino up front than the electrifying pace and guile of the English hitman.
A starting opportunity and the need for goals, set up Daniel Sturridge perfectly to set the tone and he did that rather majestically. His pressuring of the Villarreal defense led to Bruno Soriano putting the ball into his own net from a low cross from the Liverpool left.
Daniel Sturridge had miskicked, but the ball had still gone in off the Villarreal captain.
He scored the second after being put through by Roberto Firmino. His finish was fantastic as an impressive Areola was not able to stop the ball from going in between his legs. The third too would have been his as he galloped into the box to get to the end of a Roberto Firmino cross.
Another miskick saw Lallana take the opportunity to extend the Reds’ lead. A good night for Daniel Sturridge overall.
#2 Villarreal rattled by Liverpool’s 12th Man
Much has been said of Anfield’s famous atmosphere but on this night, Villarreal were completely rattled by it. It was most evident on the pitch that they weren’t relishing the game as much as Marcelino was suggesting they were and before long, their frustrations rolled out onto the pitch.
Victor Ruiz and Roberto Soldado were two to lash out early into the first half and Denis Suarez followed suit. Villarreal felt increasingly aggrieved with the referee and his decision making, but it was indeed, the Anfield crowd which had unnerved them.
From welcoming the Villarreal players with flare smoke and songs as their bus stepped into Anfield, to raising the volume inside the stadium when their team was attacking, the Kop were majestic all through the game.
The players did not disappoint on the pitch either, as they matched the Kop’s aura with drive of their own. Overall, this seemed like a game that was destined to see the Reds progress, particularly with the Anfield faithful playing on as the 12th Man.
#3 Emre Can is growing into his role at Liverpool
Much has been made of Emre Can’s role at Liverpool. He has been shuffled around everywhere on the pitch and it wasn’t until recently that Jurgen Klopp gave him a refined midfield role, one which he has taken time to grow into.
Can is a midfielder by training and does have the technical ability to thrive in that role. But at Liverpool, he has been used as a more withdrawn midfielder than a box to box that he grew up learning to be.
Emre Can came into this game, having miraculously recovered from ligament damage in 2 weeks. The best part is he started and finished a game, playing on as if he had never left in the first place.
His constant harrying of Villarreal players and screening of his defense made him an impeccable force to deal with. However, it was his driving runs from deep that really set the tone for Liverpool as he played his part in the first goal.
There’s still a long way to go for the Germany midfielder but the rate at which he seems to be developing would suggest that he is on his way to become a truly world-class player in the future.
#4 Alphonse Areola has a bright future
Villarreal honestly had a few positives to take from a game where they were utterly dominated. One was the performance of their goalkeeper, Alphonse Areola. Taking over from Sergio Asenjo from the previous leg, it seemed evident as to why Marcelino chooses to use both keepers in tandem.
Asenjo is a good keeper on his day but Areola offers something incredible to his game.
Liverpool were on the ascendancy in the game and it seemed to be a well and truly one-sided game for large parts. The Liverpool attack kept their wits about them as they assaulted the Villarreal goal with flair and panache.
However, on more than one occasion Areola stood strong and denied the Liverpool shots one after the other.
He nearly saved the second goal too. One on one with Daniel Sturridge from that distance can be a tricky situation but he showed composure and came out with his body opened up and almost closed his legs in time to deny the chance. However, Daniel Sturridge was perfect with his placement and power on the ball.
Areola went on to let in another but there was little he could’ve done about the three goals that went in from close range. However, the keeper on loan from Paris St. Germain did prove to the world that he is a player with a bright future indeed.
#5 Liverpool are one game away from the Champions League
It seems incredible that Liverpool have made it to the finals of the Europa League. When the season began, they were struggling in the Premier League and seemed to be struggling to get results in the Europa League as well with a barrage of draws.
However, after Jurgen Klopp’s appointment, Liverpool have now beaten Augsburg, Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund and Villarreal on their way to Basel to face defending champions Sevilla in the Europa League final.
However, Liverpool are perhaps eyeing the other prize that comes with winning the final, a place in the Champions League. When Jurgen Klopp’s side picked up pace in the Premier League, it seemed likely that an assault for a top four spot was inevitable, but the Reds managed to derail themselves with some shock results.
Now, 8th in the league, the Europa League trophy presents them with an opportunity to enter the premier European competition.
If Liverpool beats Sevilla, the Kop will be singing to the special nights in the Champions League at Anfield. More starkly, Liverpool will enter a competition with Jurgen Klopp which the German manager will relish, having lost out in the semi-finals the last time around with his Borussia Dortmund team. It all comes down to what happens in Basel.
