Liverpool lose to last-gasp sucker punch against Villarreal
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ByEurosport
Updated 29/04/2016 at 08:20 GMT
Europa League semi-final first-leg at El Madrigal: Villlarreal 1 (Adrian Lopez, 90) Liverpool 0
Adrian Lopez, scorer for Villarreal v Liverpool
Image credit: AFP
Villarreal beat Liverpool 1-0 with an injury time goal in their Europa League semi-final first-leg at El Madrigal.
The Reds looked almost certain to claim at least a goalless draw after a decent performance in the match as it headed into three added minutes, only for Adrian Lopez's goal to decide the match with 90 seconds left.
Liverpool had produced a highly professional away performance against a side which has defeated the likes of Real Madrid, Sevilla and Napoli at their quaint stadium this season.
They looked comfortable throughout and even had chances to grab an away goal with Joe Allen squandering an early opportunity and Roberto Firmino – who started as a lone-striker – striking a post on the hour-mark.
But Lopez was played in on goal by Denis Suarez to side-foot home in injury-time after a fast break, giving the home side a 1-0 advantage which will change the complexion of the second leg.
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Villarreal v Liverpool
Image credit: Reuters
Liverpool’s failure in front of goal will raise questions as to why Jurgen Klopp – who has never won a European match in Spain – did not include in-form Daniel Sturridge or Christian Benteke in the starting line-up.
Benteke was introduced on 87 minutes while Sturridge did not make an appearance.
Despite the late and cruel blow, Liverpool will be confident of producing another special European night at Anfield when the second-leg comes to England next week.
TALKING POINT
Benteke and Sturridge on the bench, did Klopp make the right decision? Up to the third minute of injury-time, the answer would have been yes. Liverpool looked more than comfortable throughout the contest and had chances to win the game. But the late goal undone all of their good work and ultimately they’ve lost a game to an average Villarreal side – without an away goal.
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James Milner's frustration - Villarreal v Liverpool
Image credit: Reuters
MAN OF THE MATCH
Denis Suarez (Villarreal) – The midfielder pulled the strings for his side throughout - he was everywhere and when presented with a glorious chance to win the game, he unselfishly teed up his team mate to slot into an empty net instead.
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Villarreal's goal
Image credit: Eurosport
PLAYER RATINGS
Villarreal: Asenjo 7; Mario 7, Bailly 6, Ruiz 6, Costa 6; Dos Santos 7, Pina 7, Bruno 8, Suárez 9; Soldado 6, Bakambu 6. Subs: Musacchio 6, Castillejo 6, Adrian 6.
Liverpool: Mignolet 7, Clyne 7, Lovren 6, Toure 7, Moreno 6, Lucas 7, Allen 6, Milner 7, Coutinho N/A, Lallana 7, Firmino 7. Subs: Benteke N/A, Ibe 5.
KEY MOMENTS
PRE-MATCH – Sturridge and Benteke start on bench! Roberto Firmino leads the front line for the Reds with Christian Benteke and Daniel Sturridge on the substitute’s bench.
4’ - CHANCE! Allen should score! Lallana delivers a low cross into the penalty area, it takes a deflection and falls to Allen who shoots straight at the goalkeeper from a great position. Klopp has got his head in his hands, he knows how great of an opportunity that is.
9’ - INCHES WIDE! Villarreal's Bruno plays a clever quick free-kick, finding Soldado in the penalty area but the former Spurs man fires the ball narrowly wide of the post. He may have been offside but the lineman's flag stayed down.
19’ - SAVE! Pinball in the Liverpool penalty area as the away defenders get a block into several Villarreal attempts, Pina eventually gets a shot away but Mignolet makes a smart save. Desperate defending from the visitors who just about survive!
41’ - CLOSE! Soldado comes close to breaking the deadlock - the impressive Bruno slides a ball through to the forward who takes a touch before shooting inches wide of the post.
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Roberto Soldado - Kolo Touré, Villarreal v Liverpool
Image credit: AFP
47’ - CHANCE! Liverpool fall asleep whilst defending a corner as dangerman Bakambu is left unmarked but he can't find the target, hitting the side-netting with a header.
63’ - POST! That's the closest we've come - Milner plays a delightful through ball to Firmino and he's able to turn into space before firing a shot at goal ... but he's denied by the woodwork with the goalkeeper beaten.
86’ - CHANCE! Mignolet saves the day for Liverpool! Suarez plays Bakambu through behind the away defence but the Belgian goalkeeper gets a hand to the stinging shot!
87’ - CLOSE! Chances at both ends as Liverpool immediately break as Moreno intercepts a pass in midfield before running down at goal and firing the ball just over the bar!
90’+3 - GOAL! Villarreal 1-0 Liverpool - The hosts have the lead and this is so, so cruel on Liverpool. Suarez is played through on goal, he tees up Lopez and the substitute taps into an empty net. A moment of quality wins the game!
KEY MATCH FACTS
- Liverpool have lost four of their last five games against Spanish clubs in European competition.
- Villarreal record their first win in 11 games against English opposition.
- Jurgen Klopp has lost his first European tie in charge of Liverpool (W5 D5).
- Liverpool have progressed from three of their previous five semi-finals in European competition after losing the first leg away from home.
- Four of the last five teams to lose 1-0 away in UEFA Cup/EL semi-final have progressed, the exception being Liverpool in 2010.
MATCH IN A TWEET
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