A spirited second-half display from the home side Liverpool saw them cruise past Villarreal with a 2-0 scoreline in the first leg semi-final contest.
MATCH PROCEEDINGS
The hosts started strong and a link-up between Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane could have led to the latter finding the opener for his side but the effort went wayward.
Luis Diaz and Salah went close with their strikes through on goal only for Villarreal shot-stopper Rulli stood his ground to deny the Liverpool forwards.
It was Thiago Alcantara’s moment to shine with the Spanish maestro on the verge of scoring an absolute beauty but his 30 yard effort crashed off the angle of post and bar.
The second period was a repeat of the first with Liverpool in no mood to cede control of the proceedings and the skipper Jordan Henderson’s cross came off Estupinan to find the back of the net.
Liverpool’s advantage was doubled within minutes as Sadio Mane slotted from close range after Salah teed up his strike partner to make it 2-0 on home turf.
Andy Robertson had a late strike chalked off due to offside with Liverpool getting past the finish line in the Anfield showdown to stand well placed for a berth in the finals.
