Mane made the game safe for Liverpool when he touched Mohamed Salah’s pass beyond Rulli in the 55th minute
By Kehinde Okeowo
Two quick goals in 3 minutes at Anfield gave Liverpool control of their Champions League semi-final against Villarreal ahead of the second leg in Spain.
The Reds dominated ball possession in the first half but Villarreal defended deep making it difficult for Liverpool to break them down and the half ended without a goal.
The host finally broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute when Jordan Henderson’s cross took a deflection off Pervis Estupinan’s boot and looped a fraction too high for Geronimo Rulli in Villarreals’ goal to get a full glove on it, as the ball drops inside the far corner.
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Sadio Mane doubled Liverpools’ advantage in the 55th minute when Mohamed Salah poked a ball through him to latch on to and finish.
The home side had other opportunities to score but Fabinho and Andy Robertson had their goals ruled out for offside, while Thiago hit the post.
The win means Liverpool take a 2 goal advantage to the Estadio de la Cerámica next Tuesday when Villarreal hosts the return leg The winner of the two-legged encounter is expected to meet either Manchester City or Real Madrid in the final in Paris in May.
