LIVERPOOL–VILLAREAL FOOT. Since the start of this Champions League semi-final between Liverpool and Villareal on Wednesday April 27, the Reds have dominated the start of the match but still have not found the net.
21:46 – It’s half-time at Anfield between Liverpool and Villarreal
Liverpool FC lacks realism: at the break, possession of the ball is clearly in favor of Liverpool FC (60% against 40% for Villarreal CF), which has also created the most serious chances with 3 shots on target against 0 shots on target for Villarreal CF, but has to settle for a draw for the moment (0-0).
21:43 – Nice outing from Rulli
Geronimo Rulli makes a fine outing in front of Mohamed Salah who had escaped behind the Spanish defense but the assistant referee raises his flag to signal an offside.
21:41 – The exceptional strike of Alcantara
Oh what a strike from Thiago Alanctara. His straight ball ends up on the post of Rulli who seemed beaten. This is the biggest opportunity for this Liverpool – Villareal.
21:37 – What a battle in midfield
What intensity in the midfield in this 30-second sequence which finally turned to the advantage of Villareal who won a touch after a succession of tackles full of aggressiveness.
21:36 – Mohamed Salah misses his recovery
Once again Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian lacks precision when volleying off his bad foot on an excellent cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold with one touch of the ball. The Spaniards continue to suffer in this Liverpool – Villareal but still do not crack.
21:35 – Actions multiply for Liverpool
The actions follow one another in this Liverpool – Villareal and they are for the Reds. After Mané, it’s Salah who takes the volley but Estupinan throws himself and makes a superb defensive intervention.
21:33 – Mané’s sequence was close to winning
What a sequence of Sadio Mané. The Senegalese international controls and raises his ball before volleying it. His attempt is deflected by Raul Albiol and grazes the cages of Geronimo Rulli.
21:32 – Van Dijk takes a yellow
This is the first yellow card for this Liverpool – Villareal. Virgil Van Dijk receives a warning after a big contact with Samuel Chukweze.
21:31 – New Rulli stop
Luis Diaz tries again in this meeting. This time the shot from the Liverpool winger is repelled with both fists by Rulli.
21:29 – Pau Torres struggles to get up
Pau Torres remains on the ground after taking the ball in the head on the free kick from Trent Alexander-Arnold. The Villareal defender is getting up and will resume his place in this Liverpool – Villareal.
21:26 – Salah takes his chance
New strike from Liverpool players. This time, it is the Egyptian Mohamed Salah who takes his chance on the right side after a very good delivery from Sadio Mané. The strike of the former Roman passes over the cages of Rulli.
21:25 – 60% possession for Liverpool
While the half-hour game will soon arrive in this Liverpool – Villareal, the dominance of the locals is also characterized by a significant possession of the ball of 60% against 40% for the Spaniards.
21:22 – Henderson hits the post
Amazing action in this Liverpool – Villareal. Jordan Henderson is found far away at the far post and tries to put it in the center but his ball goes in the direction of Rulli’s post which had covered his cages.
21:17 – Jordan Henderson gets scolded
After what he considers a refereeing error, Jordan Henderson shows his anger to the assistant central referee. The latter comes to lecture him to ask him to calm down.
21:15 – The pressure is great on Villareal
For a few minutes in this Liverpool – Villareal, the yellows have shown a lot of solidarity to counter the many offensives of the Reds. The pressure is mounting on Rulli’s cages.
21:13 – Luis Diaz takes his chance
The Colombian international transplants in the axis and tries his first strike from this Liverpool – Villareal. Rulli has to do it twice to grab this tricky ball that had bounced just in front of the doorman of the yellow submarine.
21:11 – What an opportunity!
Sadio Mané was alone in the penalty area. Mohamed Salah overflows on the right side and finds a perfect cross towards the Senegalese who was absolutely alone in the Spanish area but he cannot find Rulli’s frame. This is the first big chance for this Liverpool – Villareal.
21:09 – Corner stupidly conceded by Liverpool
Villareal gets a first corner in this Liverpool – Villareal. Alexander-Arnold raises directly on Fabinho who concedes the corner in spite of himself. This one gives nothing because Parejo does not manage to pass the first post.
21:07 – First thrill in this Liverpool – Villareal
The first corner for the Reds almost paid off. Ibrahima Konaté manages to take the best of Villareal’s area and get back on Sadio Mané who does not manage to organize himself well to follow up.
21:06 – Villareal struggles to keep the ball
If they have recovered several times since the start of this Liverpool – Villareal, the Spaniards then struggle to combine and find themselves well in the opposing half.
21:03 – Salah already requested
Mohamed Salah is already wanted deep behind Estupinan but the Egyptian winger for Liverpool fails to control this long bell-shaped ball.
21:01 – Liverpool very high
First teaching of this Liverpool – Villareal. The Spaniards curl up on their cage and wait for the English who are playing rather high as one might expect.
21:00 – Kick off!
It’s off to Anfield for this Liverpool – Villareal, semi-final first leg of the Champions League.
20:55 – Kick-off is approaching
This Liverpool – Villareal is about to start. The two teams are preparing to emerge from the Anfield tunnel and play the second semi-final of the Champions League. The atmosphere goes up a notch and the You’ll Never Walk Alone should sound in a few seconds now.
20:48 – Villarreal are used to English clubs
In their last five semi-finals in European competition, Villareal have faced an English club four times. Already last year, Unai Emery’s men faced Arsenal in the last four of the Europa League. And it’s a good memory for the yellow submarine who made it to the final before winning the competition.