Nights like these live long in the memory.
They are the making of great teams when you come through an almighty scare on the way to glory. It was a torturous 90 minutes for Jurgen Klopp as they blew their first leg lead, looked in serious danger and then, in the space of 12 mad minutes, won the tie all over again.
Ten minutes after the final whistle, Klopp re-emerged onto the pitch at El Madrigal to salute the travelling support sat up in the Gods as the Liverpool manager toasted them with his now familiar fist pump of delight. Luis Diaz was the driving force, his introduction as a half time substitute completely changed the game as he scored and helped put Liverpool into their third Champions League final under Klopp’s reign.
Klopp has already made history by becoming the first manager to reach the League Cup final, FA Cup final and now the Champions League in the same season. And you would not bet against them completing a clean sweep because it is all opening up for them as they remain hot on Manchester City’s heels in the title race.
Diaz has also given Liverpool one hell of a boost as his arrival in January has been the perfect boost and Klopp’s tactical switch - bringing him on for Diogo Jota - won the game. Klopp is a genius, an inspirational manager who is driven by success and has instilled a winning mentality in his players who simply refuse to be beaten.
You could sense Villarreal were fired up by the criticism after the first leg, Unai Emery promised to make Liverpool “suffer” more than they did at Anfield… and he was true to his word. Villarreal made the tie all square by half time, an upset looked on the cards as Liverpool were uncharacteristically sloppy and careless. But they showed real heart and courage to come back again. Villarreal went from hope to despair.
Villarreal scored after just three minutes. Pervis Estupiñán put over a cross from the left, Etienne Capoue pulled the ball back from the byline and there was Boulaye Dia to tap home. Suddenly this little stadium, which only holds 23,500 fans but has seen so many football fairytales, began to believe. You could also sense Liverpool’s nerves and Klopp’s men were wobbling.
Liverpool had an almighty let-off in the 37th minute when keeper Alisson charged out and brought down Giovani Lo Celso. Dutch referee Danny Makkelie waved away penalty appeals. The reprieve did not last long. Etienne Capoue beat Andy Robertson on the left edge of the box, put over a cross and Coquelin rose high above Trent Alexander-Arnold to head into the top corner after 41 minutes. The place went wild.
Then on came Diaz for Diogo Jota at half time and the momentum changed. Liverpool scored after 61 minutes. Mo Salah’s pass slipped in Fabinho and he powered a shot through Villarreal keeper Gerónimo Rulli’s legs. Alexander-Arnold turned provider in the 67th minute, the right back switched onto his left foot to put over a cross and Diaz headed through Rulli’s legs.
Then it was all over after 74 minutes. Sadio Mane ran from his own half to beat Rulli to a Keita pass, he went through with the defence floundering and eventually put into an empty net. Villarreal lost their heads as Capoue was sent off after an X-rated challenge on Curtis Jones.
Nights like these are the ones which get replayed at the end of the season and the trophies are raised aloft.
