Matchday LIVE: Liverpool defeat Villarreal in UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg

<p>It's all over at Anfield - and if it wasn't quite the blood-pumping spectacle played down the M62 in Manchester, it's still a job well done for another English side.</p><p>Liverpool win the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on home soil against Villarreal, thanks to a Jordan Henderson lob finish deflection and a typical bit of Sadio Mane magnetism.</p><p>Part two comes next week, back in Spain.</p>

FT: Liverpool 2-0 Villarreal

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">INCREDIBLE STUFF! ⚡️⚡️<br><br>Moments after Jordan Henderson's deflected cross found the net, Sadio Mane doubles Liverpool's lead! 🔴<br><br>All of a sudden the Reds are dominating Villarreal 💪<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> <a href="https://t.co/PDphIrPTAx">pic.twitter.com/PDphIrPTAx</a></p>— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) <a href="https://twitter.com/footballontnt/status/1519410349237231619?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">53': Liverpool 1-0 Villarreal<br>55': Liverpool 2-0 Villarreal<br><br>Two goals in two minutes. Liverpool are fired up. 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/AEek0qRKGP">pic.twitter.com/AEek0qRKGP</a></p>— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/1519410238373257216?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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WATCH: Mane doubles Reds lead

<p>Double delight in the space of two minutes - and Liverpool are in total control on the scoreboard now!</p><p>Two goals for the Reds, and it is Sadio Mane who doubles the lead after the hosts just - just! - beat the offside line.</p><p>The Senegal star slots home and Anfield is in dreamland. They needed that.</p>

GOAL: Liverpool 2-0 Villarreal

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">⭐ TEAM NEWS ⭐<br><br>How we line-up for tonight’s <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> semi-final! 👊<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LIVVIL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LIVVIL</a></p>— Liverpool FC (@LFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/LFC/status/1519370959882436608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here are the 1️⃣1️⃣ Yellows who will line up against <a href="https://twitter.com/LFC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LFC</a>.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> <a href="https://t.co/0Jz2cNDTal">pic.twitter.com/0Jz2cNDTal</a></p>— Villarreal CF English (@VillarrealCFen) <a href="https://twitter.com/VillarrealCFen/status/1519370977855123458?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Lineups: Liverpool v Villarreal

<p>And with that, we bring the curtain down on another night of Champions League action.</p><p>It's been two semi-finals to contrast so far - but curiously, it is the one with the least goals that looks to be less in the balance.</p><p>But Real Madrid and Villarreal will still have words to say to Manchester City and Liverpool in their own backyards. The second legs are just around the corner - and we'll see you then.</p><p>Thank you for joining us!</p>

Thank you and good bye

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">Allez, allez, allez 🎶 <a href="https://t.co/N69We8coQW">pic.twitter.com/N69We8coQW</a></p>— Liverpool FC (@LFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/LFC/status/1519428075250925569?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Into the night

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Ibrahima Konate is 23 games into his Liverpool career and he STILL hasn't lost 👏 <a href="https://t.co/pEqwDTEhST">pic.twitter.com/pEqwDTEhST</a></p>— GOAL (@goal) <a href="https://twitter.com/goal/status/1519426949017489409?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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That winning feeling

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">8 - Across their three games at Anfield since the start of last week, Liverpool won by an aggregate score of 8-0, made 1,622 more passes than their opponents and had 93 more touches in the opposition box. Superiority. <a href="https://t.co/Xntlxo0dIL">pic.twitter.com/Xntlxo0dIL</a></p>— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/1519427582239854597?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Demolition job

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">103 - Thiago Alcántara 🇪🇸 attempted 103 passes against Villarreal (99 completed), his most in a single Champions League game for Liverpool. Master. <a href="https://t.co/gxyl9d5KfG">pic.twitter.com/gxyl9d5KfG</a></p>— OptaJose (@OptaJose) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaJose/status/1519421523769110528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Pass master

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="qme" dir="ltr">🤗 <a href="https://t.co/Qg76iqb9ay">pic.twitter.com/Qg76iqb9ay</a></p>— Liverpool FC (@LFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/LFC/status/1519421273079787522?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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The man of the moment

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">7 - Mohamed Salah has provided seven assists for Liverpool teammate Sadio Mané in the UEFA Champions League - since 2017-18, no other player has made for another during this period in the competition (Neymar with seven for Kylian Mbappé). Bromance. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LIVVIL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LIVVIL</a> <a href="https://t.co/gwhNBrSPdG">pic.twitter.com/gwhNBrSPdG</a></p>— OptaJean (@OptaJean) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaJean/status/1519414700072656900?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">7 - Mohamed Salah has provided seven assists for Liverpool teammate Sadio Mané in the UEFA Champions League - since 2017-18, no other player has made for another during this period in the competition (Neymar with seven for Kylian Mbappé). Bromance. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LIVVIL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LIVVIL</a> <a href="https://t.co/gwhNBrSPdG">pic.twitter.com/gwhNBrSPdG</a></p>— OptaJean (@OptaJean) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaJean/status/1519414700072656900?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">7 - Mohamed Salah has provided seven assists for Liverpool teammate Sadio Mané in the UEFA Champions League - since 2017-18, no other player has made for another during this period in the competition (Neymar with seven for Kylian Mbappé). Bromance. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LIVVIL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LIVVIL</a> <a href="https://t.co/gwhNBrSPdG">pic.twitter.com/gwhNBrSPdG</a></p>— OptaJean (@OptaJean) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaJean/status/1519414700072656900?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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The connection

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">4 – Jürgen Klopp has won each of his four home matches in Champions League semi-finals – this is the joint-best 100% win rate at home in semi-finals by any manager in the competition (Marcello Lippi and Ottmar Hitzfeld also 4/4). Expert. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LIVVIL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LIVVIL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> <a href="https://t.co/3tf69sRWhQ">pic.twitter.com/3tf69sRWhQ</a></p>— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaFranz/status/1519420667103518720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Top of the Klopps

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Up the Reds ❤ <a href="https://t.co/25wkVHXq9K">pic.twitter.com/25wkVHXq9K</a></p>— Liverpool FC (@LFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/LFC/status/1519420293864902656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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A big night at home

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">133 - There were just 133 seconds between Liverpool opening the scoring and adding a second through Sadio Mané. Overwhelming.</p>— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/1519411082879803392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Speed kings

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sum up this Liverpool side in one word...<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> <a href="https://t.co/LkD0Mo6SCK">pic.twitter.com/LkD0Mo6SCK</a></p>— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChampionsLeague/status/1519418509461176326?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Indefatigable

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Liverpool 2-0 Villarreal. <br><br>One foot in the Champions League final 🇫🇷 <a href="https://t.co/vGU3AKYPu5">pic.twitter.com/vGU3AKYPu5</a></p>— GOAL (@goal) <a href="https://twitter.com/goal/status/1519418492574969861?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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On their way

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Passion everywhere you look 😍 <a href="https://t.co/Gnnq7OQ4Fd">pic.twitter.com/Gnnq7OQ4Fd</a></p>— Liverpool FC (@LFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/LFC/status/1519413088050683904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Feel the noise

<p>IT'S DIVOCK ORIGI IN A CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI-FINAL! WE REPEAT, IT'S DIVOCK ORIGI IN A CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI-FINAL!</p><p>The man who famously fired one of the all-time great Champions League comebacks is on the pitch for Liverpool as they aim to cruise to the finish.</p><p>Villarreal just haven't had answers in attack.</p>

Origi time

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">14 - Sadio Mané has tonight netted his 14th goal in the UEFA Champions League knockout stages, equalling Didier Drobga’s record as the African with the most such goals in the competition’s history. Pride. <a href="https://t.co/fwVTLoxqbf">pic.twitter.com/fwVTLoxqbf</a></p>— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/1519410206735806466?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Cometh the Mane

<p>Sadio Mane departs - but don't sweat, Liverpool fans, there's no injury here.</p><p>With such a packed schedule ahead, Jurgen Klopp makes the choice to preserve his star man, and takes him from the field.</p><p>The Reds remain two goals to the good. Villarreal likely need a response here.</p>

Mane off for Reds

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">That nutmeg assist from Mohamed Salah 😈 <a href="https://t.co/gT0xK3luwS">pic.twitter.com/gT0xK3luwS</a></p>— GOAL (@goal) <a href="https://twitter.com/goal/status/1519411411449184256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Nicely done

<p>Liverpool are absolutely roaring now, the release of those two goals effectively the blow that has bust the dam.</p><p>Andy Robertson has the ball in the back of the net now, but he will be denied by the offside flag.</p><p>Close, but no coconut.</p>

Robertson effort chalked off

<p>A CAPTAIN'S KNOCK!</p><p>Jordan Henderson breaks the deadlock and it is a goal bordering on the sensational for the Liverpool skipper!</p><p>He plays a one-two into the box and then lobs an effort in off the right. Geronimo Rulli gets a glove to it, but can only help it on its way into the back of the net at the left post! The subsequent ruling says it is a deflection off Pervis Estupinan - but it doesn't matter!</p><p>Anfield erupts. Finally, release for the Reds.</p>

GOAL: Liverpool 1-0 Villarreal

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">1 - Villarreal have attempted just one shot in the first 45 minutes against Liverpool, their lowest total in a first half of a Champions League game. Wait. <a href="https://t.co/XIOw6IfHTz">pic.twitter.com/XIOw6IfHTz</a></p>— OptaJose (@OptaJose) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaJose/status/1519405664929517568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Empty threat

<p>Here come the teams again, into the Merseyside evening.</p><p>Will this second half serve up a bit more panache than the first?</p><p>We'll find out soon enough.</p>

Back underway at Anfield

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">12 - Since 2003-04 (when this data is available), no team have had more first half shots in a UEFA Champions League semi-final without scoring than Liverpool this evening (12). Knocking.</p>— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/1519403578363940871?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Banging on the door

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Villarreal defenders when it comes to the Champions League 😅 <a href="https://t.co/nJnOqRnW4u">pic.twitter.com/nJnOqRnW4u</a></p>— GOAL (@goal) <a href="https://twitter.com/goal/status/1519402867462967296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Rock solid

<p>Well, that was a bit of a comedown after last night, wasn't it?</p><p>Everybody still awake? Perhaps we got more goals than normal in Manchester to make up for a lack at Anfield.</p><p>But at half-time, it is indeed a goalless affair on Merseyside - but it is Liverpool who feel like they are close to a breakthrough in this Champions League semi-final first leg against Villarreal.</p><p>More to come!</p>

HT: Liverpool 0-0 Villarreal

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> | 0-0 ⏱ 38' | Less than ten minutes until half-time. <a href="https://t.co/KXPX7J52Av">pic.twitter.com/KXPX7J52Av</a></p>— Villarreal CF English (@VillarrealCFen) <a href="https://twitter.com/VillarrealCFen/status/1519400647396892672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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No breakthrough... yet

<p>Trent Alexander-Arnold - is there a more maligned world-class right-back in the game? The England man's talent is superb, but he always seems to be facing an uphill battle with his critics.</p><p>He has a free-kick now in range and pumps it straight into the wall. Pau Torres takes the brunt of it and needs some running repairs.</p>

Into the wall

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">22' - Thiago's switch finds Henderson and his first time volley hits the outside of the post from a tight angle.<br><br>[0-0]<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LIVVIL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LIVVIL</a> <a href="https://t.co/q8BuNGX2vu">pic.twitter.com/q8BuNGX2vu</a></p>— Liverpool FC (@LFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/LFC/status/1519396813559808003?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Off the woodwork!

Call for calm

<p>So far, Liverpool are not rocking the boat as much as they might like to - and once in a while, Villarreal show a flash of danger on the counter.</p><p>The Yellow Submarine is bobbing along.</p>

Submarine steady

Reds press early

<p>Well, they can't all be barnstormers out of the gate, can they?</p><p>It's not exactly cautious so far, but Liverpool are not quite as immediately probing as Manchester City were last night against Madrid.</p><p>Villarreal have spoken much of how they will have to "suffer" if they are to deliver a result today. Just how much suffering will that be?</p>

Early feelers

<p>The Champions League anthem is practically drowned out by the noise on Merseyside tonight.</p><p>Jurgen Klopp and Unai Emery exchange greetings, the two sides take their places - and we're off!</p><p>This semi-final is<strong> on</strong>!</p>

KO: Liverpool v Villarreal

<p><em>These are the champiooooooons</em></p><p>Listen to that noise at Anfield! What an atmosphere it is!</p><p>Liverpool and Villarreal are about to get one of the biggest nights of their season underway.</p>

Here they come...

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">😍<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LIVVIL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LIVVIL</a> <a href="https://t.co/pP1M8YZXO9">pic.twitter.com/pP1M8YZXO9</a></p>— Liverpool FC (@LFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/LFC/status/1519386626299944963?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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One of these nights...

Come around sundown

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Just over half an hour to kick-off ⏱️!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> <a href="https://t.co/pJmmjoZBoF">pic.twitter.com/pJmmjoZBoF</a></p>— Villarreal CF English (@VillarrealCFen) <a href="https://twitter.com/VillarrealCFen/status/1519382354153848832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Countdown

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">84% - Since 2009-10, <a href="https://twitter.com/VillarrealCFen?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VillarrealCFen</a> Unai Emery 🇪🇸 has progressed from 84% of his Europa League/Champions League knockout ties (31/37), the second-best ratio of any manager to have taken charge of at least 10, after only Zinédine Zidane 🇫🇷 (14/16 - 88%). Competitiveness <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UEL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UEL</a> <a href="https://t.co/2tdlnoDHGZ">pic.twitter.com/2tdlnoDHGZ</a></p>— OptaJose (@OptaJose) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaJose/status/1519347998664413186?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Cup master

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Champions League nights don't come much tougher than Anfield 🥵 <a href="https://t.co/by87EpRyNW">pic.twitter.com/by87EpRyNW</a></p>— GOAL (@goal) <a href="https://twitter.com/goal/status/1519366725510254593?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Tough night in store?

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Unai Emery knows all about beating Jurgen Klopp in Europe 👀 <a href="https://t.co/OGue5DUgvU">pic.twitter.com/OGue5DUgvU</a></p>— GOAL (@goal) <a href="https://twitter.com/goal/status/1519343059426816006?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Old rivals

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">12 - Liverpool will play in the semi-finals of the European Cup/UEFA Champions League for the 12th time this evening, equalling Manchester United (12) as the English club with the most appearances at this stage. Habit. <a href="https://t.co/plRCjH9K3X">pic.twitter.com/plRCjH9K3X</a></p>— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/1519374748936986626?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Old stagers

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Liverpool is yellow today.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> <a href="https://t.co/hHXzEsEmmA">pic.twitter.com/hHXzEsEmmA</a></p>— Villarreal CF English (@VillarrealCFen) <a href="https://twitter.com/VillarrealCFen/status/1519305469067776000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Yellow on the Mersey

<p><em>And you may ask yourself, "Well, how did I get here?"</em></p><p>That's a good question, and one we are happy to provide the answers to!</p><p>For Liverpool, their path to the Champions League semi-finals has felt a little on-rails at points - they swept imperiously through Group B, winning every game against Atletico Madrid, Porto and Milan, before knocking out Inter and Benfica, with only the former providing a scare, on the road here.</p><p>Villarreal on the other hand - well, they've done it tough and they've done it superbly. Second in Group F behind Manchester United - the side they edged in the Europa League Final last term - they were handed the tough draw of Juventus in the last-16 - and when they shocked them, were given Bayern Munich as a false reward too.</p><p>But with two European kingpins dispatched, can the Yellow Submarine make it a third major scalp?</p>

Road to the semis

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The games we live for ✊<br><br>Anfield is all set for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LIVVIL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LIVVIL</a> in the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> <a href="https://t.co/MKFLuxkfot">pic.twitter.com/MKFLuxkfot</a></p>— Liverpool FC (@LFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/LFC/status/1519363944451821569?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Set the scene

<p>Well, the team news is in - and on the surface, it is a bit of a mismatch, if we do say so.</p><p>Liverpool, giants of Europe, against Villarreal, the Yellow Submarine that could. There's history between these two - a Europa League semi-final of course, won by the Reds in 2016 - and there's history between their coaches.</p><p>In that very Europa League final six years ago, who was the man who trumped Jurgen Klopp to bring the title to Sevilla? Why, one Unai Emery, of course.</p><p>Both sides arrive with silverware in their recent lockers - Liverpool, fresh from EFL Cup success in the winter, and Villarreal, still driving last year's Europa League triumph to new heights on the continent.</p><p>It's got all the makings of a classic, this one.</p>

Time to tango

<p>Team news will be with you very shortly - neither side has jumped the gun like some freewheeling sides tonight - but before that, who wants a quick refresher of yesterday's action?</p><p>Manchester City welcomed Real Madrid to the Etihad Stadium for another English-Spanish encounter in the first semi-final of the week - and boy, did they not let themselves down.</p><p>A seven-goal thriller, complete with some superb finishes - Bernardo Silva's rocket! Karim Benzema's Panenka! That child who somehow got on the pitch late on! - served up a Champions League all-timer, with City taking a 4-3 advantage to Santiago Bernabeu next time out. If tonight is half as exciting - and we hope it is - then we are in for a treat.</p>

About last night...

<p>Hello and welcome to <strong>GOAL </strong>Matchday Live - our rolling blog coverage of all the biggest beats and hottest games across Europe today!</p><p>And just like yesterday, there's only one game in town that we care about. We've already been treated to one high-flying dose of continental action - and yet you want <em><strong>more</strong></em>?!</p><p>Welcome back to the Champions League semi-finals, folks - it's Liverpool versus Villarreal, live from Anfield, and we'll be taking you through until the very end of this mammoth first leg on Merseyside.</p><p>Strap in - it's going to be a good one*!</p><p><em>(*We hope)</em></p><p></p>

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Matchday LIVE: Liverpool host Villarreal in UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg | Goal.com South Africa

Follow all the updates as Liverpool and Villarreal go head to head in the last four of the UEFA Champions League