Champions League: Liverpool close to the final?
Senegalese Sadio Mané, scorer with Liverpool against Villarreal, in the semi-final first leg of the Champions League.
Action Images via Reuters - CARL RECINE
Text by: Farid Achache Follow
3 mins
Winners 2-0 of Villarreal, in the semi-final first leg of the Champions League, thanks to an own goal from Ecuadorian Pervis Estupinan and another from Senegal international Sadio Mané, the Reds travel with confidence to Spain on Tuesday May 3 for the return, with a place in the final as a goal.
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On Saturday April 30, Villarreal lost their last meeting in the Spanish championship at Alavès (1-2), while Mohamed Salah's teammates beat Newcastle (1-0) with a goal from Guinean Naby Keita in the Premier League.
Liverpool are eyeing a hair-raising quadruple and aiming for the Champions League final.
Get your hands on four trophies
Indeed, this season, Liverpool have won the English League Cup against Chelsea, qualified for the Cup final (on May 14, again against Chelsea) and remain more than ever in the title race in the Premier League. League, currently one point behind Manchester City.
With Mohamed Salah currently top scorer in the Premier League with 22 goals in 32 games, and top provider (13 offerings), Liverpool can still get their hands on four trophies in 2021-22.
Only one team has achieved this feat in the past: Celtic Clasgow (Scotland) in 1966-67.
Liverpool are walking on water and their coach Jürgen Klopp has just extended his contract until 2026. “
As in any healthy relationship, it has to go both ways, that we are made for one other.
That's what brought me here in the first place and that's why I extended previously
,” the 54-year-old German told the club's official website.
And the 2019 Champions League-winning coach adds: "
This time it's different, because we've been together for a long time.
I had to ask myself the question
: is it good for Liverpool that I stay longer
?
Together with my two assistant managers, Pep Lijnders and Pete Krawietz, we came to the conclusion that it was a yes.
“Even if Mohamed Salah has kept his future at Liverpool unclear, where his contract runs until June 2023, Jürgen Klopp is comfortable with the English club.
Thiago Alcantara in a state of grace
If Villarreal has already brilliantly taken out Juventus and Bayern Munich, the step that leads to the final now seems complicated to climb.
The Yellow Submarine could find it difficult to reverse the balance of power, especially if Salah, a passer for Mané in the first leg, regains his superb in front of goal in C1.
Without counting on his Senegalese teammate Mané, who is now on 14 goals in the Champions League knockout phase, equaling Didier Drogba's record for an African player in the Champions League.
In the middle, Liverpool will be able to rely on Thiago Alcantara, who is finally giving his full measure, and can guide the Reds to the final.
The 30-year-old, four-time Spanish champion with Barça, seven-time German champion with Bayern and who has two Champions Leagues to his name, is at the peak of his career.
“
He can decide the pace (of the game).
He can create and use space for other players, that sort of thing.
His first contact is incredible, his vision is incredible, his passing quality
: pretty good
!
But he is also fast.
And very active
”, welcomes Jürgen Klopp.
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