A deflected Jordan Henderson cross and a Sadio Mane strike were enough for Liverpool to take command of their Champions League semi final tie against Villarreal with a two-goal win at Anfield.
The first half was one of frustration for the hosts; Mane misjudged a Mohamed Salah cross to spurn a half-opening while Thiago Alcantara’s long-range effort cannoned back off the crossbar. The visitors created nothing of note, but were able to shut out the Reds.
After the break it was an entirely different story; Fabinho’s stabbed finish was ruled out for offside but Henderson’s deflected cross looped over Geronimo Rulli in the 53 rd minute – in what was officially a Pervis Estupinan own goal – before Mane doubled the lead two minutes later after Salah’s assist. Andy Robertson thought he’d added a third just after the hour mark, but again it was ruled offside.
