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AS IT HAPPENED

As it happened: Liverpool v Villarreal, Europa League semi-final second leg

Could the Reds overturn their first leg deficit and advance to the final?

Good evening one and all and welcome along to our live coverage of the Europa League semi-final second leg between Liverpool and Villarreal from Anfield.

Jurgen Klopp’s side trail 1-0 from last week’s first leg in Spain and will hope to produce another stirring comeback tonight as they look to book their place in the final.

The atmosphere is already electric inside and outside the ground and kick-off is fast approaching, at 8.05pm.

Stick with us for all the build-up and team news.

Right before we get carried away in the emotion of it all at this early stage of the evening, lets have some team news.

Daniel Sturridge and Emre Can both start for the Reds in what looks a very strong XI named by Jurgen Klopp.

Can returns after missing the last five matches with an ankle injury and partners James Milner in the engine room with Jordan Henderson still sidelined.

And this is how the visitors will line-up.

Villarreal: Areola; Mario, Musacchio, Ruiz, Costa; Dos Santos, Pina, Bruno, Suarez; Soldado, Bakambu.

Which way do you see this one going tonight? Are we set for another famous night under the Anfield floodlights or will the Spanish side come and spoil the party?

As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts on the game. E-mail ryan@the42.ie, tweet @the42_ie, post a message to our Facebook wall, or leave a comment below.

Liverpool v Villarreal - UEFA Europa League - Semi Final - Second Leg - Anfield PA Wire / Press Association Images PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Liverpool v Villarreal - UEFA Europa League - Semi Final - Second Leg - Anfield PA Wire / Press Association Images PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Liverpool v Villarreal - UEFA Europa League - Semi Final - Second Leg - Anfield PA Wire / Press Association Images PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Liverpool will be confident of turning the tie around on home soil but they will come up against a well-oiled side who, as you can see below, are no pushovers.

This is the Villarreal bus arriving at Anfield earlier. Slightly intimidating.

Liverpool v Villarreal - UEFA Europa League - Semi Final - Second Leg - Anfield PA Wire / Press Association Images PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

We’re nearly set on Merseyside. Strap yourselves in folks, as this one has all the ingredients to be a cracker.

Jurgen Klopp, speaking to BT Sport, before kick-off:

“It is a wonderful game, the atmosphere will be great. The only thing we have to do is our best. We have to be patient in the right moments but I feel good.

“We know what to do. It is a special night.”

It’s the first game at Anfield since the conclusion of the Hillsborough inquests. A gospel choir are leading another emotional rendition of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ as a giant mosaic with the words ‘The Greatest Football Family’ is displayed.

Spine-tingling, as always at Anfield.
https://vine.co/v/ixYYgtuaQxP

The teams are assembling in the tunnel. No words can do the atmosphere inside this iconic ground justice as both sets of fans joined together for YNWA.

The formalities are nearly complete and we’re just about ready for the serious business begin.

Here are the options available to the respective managers.

subs

Kick-off! Villarreal have won the toss and have asked Liverpool to attack the Kop end in this first half.

Nervy start for Alphonse Areola as a lack of communication results in the goalkeeper fumbling a straightforward cross. Liverpool looking to come out of the blocks quickly.

Sturridge has started brightly and pops up on the right flank. He stands up a cross but it’s just too close to the goalkeeper. All Liverpool in these early stages.

CHANCE! Villarreal knock on the Liverpool door for the first time. Mario Gaspar and then Jonathan dos Santos try their luck with the former forcing Mignolet into action.

GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Villarreal (Bruno OG)

Dream start for Liverpool. Fantastic work from Can and Clyne with the latter firing a low ball across the box. It makes its way to Firmino, who sends it back across where Sturridge deflects it off Bruno and in.

CLOSE! Villarreal are rattled. Milner picks the ball up in midfield and he delivers a delightful ball behind the wall of yellow shirts, with Lallana coming within inches of diverting it home.

Liverpool have been superb in the opening 14 minutes. They are bossing the game in midfield and Sturridge, Firmino and Lallana are finding acres of space in the final third.

The visitors just need to weather the storm and take the sting out of this initial onslaught. Easier said than done, mind you.

A familiar face in the stand at Anfield. Dirk Kuyt will have enjoyed what he’s seen so far.

Liverpool v Villareal - UEFA Europa League - Semi Final - Second Leg - Anfield Mike Egerton Mike Egerton

Villarreal have responded well and have just managed to get a stranglehold on proceedings. They win a corner, which comes to nothing, and then send another ball into the area as Mignolet comes off his line to gather.

Milner hobbles away from a hefty challenge and the Liverpool skipper is limping quite heavily. Klopp will be hoping he can run the problem off as Joe Allen warms up on the touchline.

Villarreal have favoured the right touchline as an avenue of attack and have actually had some success already with Gaspar showing adventure to get forward at every opportunity.

Liverpool venture forward again and win a corner. The set-piece is whipped in and it somehow comes through to Emre Can at the backpost, but he is denied by a last-ditch intervention by Gaspar.

Milner has run off that earlier problem but now Moreno is down after a heavy aerial collision, which resulted in the defender land awkwardly. He seems to be okay and is back on his feet now.

Liverpool winning a lot of set-pieces in this first half and have threatened from most of them. Milner’s delivery on this occasion wasn’t his best and Villarreal deal with it comfortably.

This is the goal which has put Liverpool ahead on the night and level on aggregate.

GoalLiveHD / YouTube

From the resulting corner, Lovren rises highest but the goalkeeper comfortable deals with his header.

30 minutes gone now and the home side are still in control and pushing for a second. Tempers are beginning to flare as Victor Ruiz is booked for being in the referee’s ear over an earlier incident.

Sturridge, Coutinho and Firmino celebrate the opening goal.

Liverpool v Villareal - UEFA Europa League - Semi Final - Second Leg - Anfield Mike Egerton Mike Egerton

Villarreal manager Marcelino needs to calm his players down. Roberto Soldado lashes out at Lovren and the visitors are just losing their cool.

Clyne lunges in on Denis Suarez, who certainly makes the most of it and he rolls around in pain. Booking for the Liverpool defender, although the club’s Twitter account doesn’t agree.

In the other semi-final, Sevilla lead Shakhtar Donetsk 1-0 on the night and now 3-2 on aggregate. Kevin Gameiro with the game’s only goal.

Villarreal are letting their frustrations get the better of them. Soldado kicks out at Coutinho well after the ball is gone and he’s the latest to go into the book.

Just a couple of minutes remaining in this first period. The game has just settled down with Villarreal seeing a lot more of the ball.

Right on the stroke of half-time, Villarreal put together one of the best moves of the half. Cedric Bakambu plays off the shoulder of Lovren and latches onto a ball down the right. He has to take it first time but just can’t get enough power behind it and it’s comfortable for Mignolet.

Half-time! Liverpool 1-0 Villarreal

Liverpool v Villarreal - UEFA Europa League - Semi Final - Second Leg - Anfield Nigel French Nigel French

Back underway at Anfield.

CLOSE! Villarreal start brightly as Soldado links up with Cedric Bakambu. The latter appears to be through on goal but a last-ditch intervention from Lovren thwarts the striker.

Just like the first half, it’s been a frenetic start to this second period. Both sides throwing numbers forward in attack and we’re set for a fascinating 45 minutes – and potentially more – of football.

SAVE! Milner bursts forward and collects the ball on the edge of the area. He manufactures a yard of space for himself but his low effort is straight at the goalkeeper.

Liverpool are looking to get the ball wide and stretch this well-drilled Villarreal defensive unit – but they have yet to really trouble Areola since making the breakthrough.

This tie is still very much in the balance and you can tell there is an air of tension inside the ground all of a sudden.

Worrying signs for Liverpool. Villarreal win another free-kick and the Reds, as they have so often done this season, fail to deal with the initial ball only for the chance to be squandered.

A little over 30 minutes remaining at Anfield and we’re still locked at 1-1. As it stands, we’re heading to extra-time and potentially penalties.

Villarreal are beginning to create chances.

In Spain, Sevilla have taken a big step towards the final with a third goal against Shakhtar Donetsk. They now lead 3-1 on the night and 5-3 on aggregate.

It’s a lot tighter at Anfield, where Villarreal have made their first change. Pina is replaced by Manuel Trigueros.

SAVE! Liverpool break quickly after a period of Villarreal possession. Sturridge shifts it onto his right foot and hits it but the ‘keeper beats it away at the near post.

GOAL! Liverpool 2-0 Villarreal (Sturridge)

And Sturridge finds the back of the net this time. Firmino forces the ball through for Sturridge, who takes a touch and then rifles low past the goalkeeper and in via the post.

Villarreal are adamant he’s offside but replays show it was the right decision and Liverpool lead the tie for the first time.

Liverpool on the front foot again. A swift break, and a sublime piece of skill from Firmino, creates the chance for Moreno but his shot is just dragged wide.

He’s been superb tonight.

Villarreal need to find something, and quickly. Soldado makes way for Adrian Lopez with 20 minutes remaining.

RED CARD! Things go from bad to worse for Villarreal. Victor Ruiz, already on a yellow, is horribly late on Lallana.

Villarreal shuffle the pack after that red card. Jonathan dos Santos is sacrificed for Daniele Bonera and the visitors have now made all three changes. Can Liverpool kill it off?

As it stands, Sturridge’s goal is the difference.

Britain Soccer Europa League Jon Super Jon Super

Liverpool have all the odds stacked in their favour now – but they need a third goal to kill this game off. With the away goal rule, one Villarreal goal would see them advance. It’s still delicately poised heading into the final 15 minutes.

You feel Villarreal’s best chance at the minute is from a set-piece – but Suarez’s delivery is so poor.

Moreno is a lucky boy. Suarez weaves his way into the box and the Liverpool defender puts his hands on his back and shoves Suarez to the ground. The referee waves away the appeals but that was a certain penalty.

What on earth was Moreno thinking? He was so lucky to get away with that blatant push as Villarreal continue to probe for a goal which would send them through. You feel there is at least one more chance for the Spanish side.

GOAL! Liverpool 3-0 Villarreal (Lallana)

Game, set and match? Brilliant from Firmino as he gets to the byline and pulls it back for Sturridge. The striker mishits his effort when he should score but Lallana is there to tap home from close range.

Liverpool on the verge of booking their place in the final with 10-man Villarreal needing two goals in six minutes.

It’s been another fantastic performance from the Reds under the lights at Anfield. They thoroughly deserve their lead with Sturridge and Firmono starring.

Anfield is bouncing and why not? The Liverpool fans have watched their side produce another memorable performance to turn this around. Sevilla await on Wednesday 18 May.

Full-time! Liverpool 3-0 Villarreal (Agg: 3-1)

The Reds will face Sevilla in the Europa League final on Wednesday 18 May in Basel.

Thanks for joining us this evening, we’ll have plenty more reaction on the site.

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