Liverpool fight back to reach Champions League final with win over Villarreal

Thursday, 5 May 2022 03:39 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and his team-mates celebrate after the Champions League semi-final, second leg soccer match between Villarreal and Liverpool at the Ceramica stadium in Villarreal

VILLARREAL (Reuters): Liverpool survived a first-half scare to reach the Champions League final with a 3-2 win at Villarreal on Tuesday, for a 5-2 aggregate victory, after the night had threatened to turn sour for Juergen Klopp’s side.

The visitors fell 2-0 down with an insipid first-half performance before fighting back with three goals in a 12-minute spell after the break to advance to their third European Cup final in five seasons.

The Premier League side had won 2-0 in England but looked in danger of coming unstuck on a rain-soaked pitch in Spain, as the hosts pegged them back with goals from Boulaye Dia and Francis Coquelin.

Liverpool, however, came out transformed after halftime and goals from Fabinho, Luis Diaz and Sadio Mane sealed the deal, with Villarreal ending the match with 10 men following a late red card for Etienne Capoue.

Klopp’s side will meet either Real Madrid or Manchester City, who contest the second leg of their semi-final on Wednesday, in the showpiece in Paris on 28 May. City lead 4-3 from the first leg.