• From left: Villarreal's midfielder Alfonso Pedraza, defender Aissa Mandi, midfielders Daniel Parejo, Samuel Chukwueze and Manuel Trigueros train at the Ciudad Deportiva training ground on the eve of their Champions League semi-final second leg against Liverpool. AFP
    From left: Villarreal's midfielder Alfonso Pedraza, defender Aissa Mandi, midfielders Daniel Parejo, Samuel Chukwueze and Manuel Trigueros train at the Ciudad Deportiva training ground on the eve of their Champions League semi-final second leg against Liverpool. AFP
  • Villarreal's midfielder Vicente Iborra, centre, and teammates attend a training session at the Ciudad Deportiva training ground. AFP
    Villarreal's midfielder Vicente Iborra, centre, and teammates attend a training session at the Ciudad Deportiva training ground. AFP
  • Villarreal players train for their Champions League semi-final second leg against Liverpool. AFP
    Villarreal players train for their Champions League semi-final second leg against Liverpool. AFP
  • Villarreal's Raul Albiol during training. Reuters
    Villarreal's Raul Albiol during training. Reuters
  • Villareal's players attend a training session at the Ciudad Deportiva training ground. AFP
    Villareal's players attend a training session at the Ciudad Deportiva training ground. AFP
  • Villarreal manager Unai Emery oversees training. Reuters
    Villarreal manager Unai Emery oversees training. Reuters
  • Lo Celso, left, and Etienne Capoue attend a training session on Monday. AFP
    Lo Celso, left, and Etienne Capoue attend a training session on Monday. AFP
  • Villarreal's Samuel Chukwueze during training. Reuters
    Villarreal's Samuel Chukwueze during training. Reuters
  • Villarreal's Geronimo Rulli during training. Reuters
    Villarreal's Geronimo Rulli during training. Reuters

Sport

Football

Villarreal need Champions League miracle against comeback kings Liverpool

Emery's side go into Tuesday's semi-final second leg in Spain 2-0 down and playing a team 'full of confidence'

Ian Hawkey
Ian Hawkey

May 03, 2022

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Two goals ahead after one leg of a cup tie is, coaches routinely warn, a “dangerous” scoreline. Jurgen Klopp has been telling his players and the supporters of Liverpool that rather often in the past two months. They would be forgiven for thinking he says so just for effect.

Liverpool cruised past Inter Milan in the last 16 of a Champions League campaign that is pointing very firmly towards the final after bringing home from Milan a 2-0 lead. They would lose the home leg 1-0 but without ever looking like they had lost control of that tie. They won 3-1 at Benfica in the next round, and, yes, drew 3-3 in the Anfield leg, but for that game Klopp had rested a number of senior players from the starting line-up.

Tuesday’s outing at Villarreal is not an opportunity for wholesale rotations even if Klopp has to be mindful of the freshness and stamina of his key men with the tight race for the Premier League entering its last stretch. But the nature of the 2-0 result Liverpool achieved in the first leg of the semi-final against the Spanish underdogs might tempt fans to think several senior players could be rested without the outcome being jeopardised.

Villarreal managed no shots on target at Anfield. They so seldom pushed back at Liverpool’s stifling high press that even having the ball in the opposition half began to seem like a triumph. “They were better than us in their stadium,” acknowledged Unai Emery, the Villarreal manager “But we defended well to keep their advantage down.”

Emery has asked his team for another show of what he describes as Villarreal’s “recognised” defensive strengths, the stubborn resistance that withstood Juventus and Bayern Munich in previous rounds, supplemented by “finding something we never found at Anfield, but which is part of our game: creating chances.” One blessing is the likely availability of his best all-round striker Gerard Moreno, who missed the first leg with injury.

“There’s the home ground factor, as well,” said Emery. “That worked in Liverpool’s favour in the first leg. Our fans will be ready. What’s great about this club is that the whole town feels it belongs to them. I want people to come and enjoy a Champions League semi-final.”

Liverpool 2 Villarreal 0: player ratings

  • LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker – 6. The Brazilian had one of the quietest nights of his career. Villarreal barely came into his penalty area. Getty
    LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker – 6. The Brazilian had one of the quietest nights of his career. Villarreal barely came into his penalty area. Getty
  • Trent Alexander-Arnold – 6. The 23-year-old had the latitude to get forward at will because the opposition sat so deep. His crossing was not as effective as usual and he was substituted for Gomez with nine minutes left. Reuters
    Trent Alexander-Arnold – 6. The 23-year-old had the latitude to get forward at will because the opposition sat so deep. His crossing was not as effective as usual and he was substituted for Gomez with nine minutes left. Reuters
  • Ibrahima Konate – 7. The Frenchman miscued a header early on but did not put a foot wrong after that. He was not placed under pressure. EPA
    Ibrahima Konate – 7. The Frenchman miscued a header early on but did not put a foot wrong after that. He was not placed under pressure. EPA
  • Virgil van Dijk – 7. The Dutchman was not unduly tested and was in control for the majority of the game. A very comfortable performance. Getty Images
    Virgil van Dijk – 7. The Dutchman was not unduly tested and was in control for the majority of the game. A very comfortable performance. Getty Images
  • Andrew Robertson – 7. The Scot could afford to forget about his defensive duties and push forward. He was always available as an outlet ball and sent in some probing passes. AP Photo
    Andrew Robertson – 7. The Scot could afford to forget about his defensive duties and push forward. He was always available as an outlet ball and sent in some probing passes. AP Photo
  • Jordan Henderson – 8. The captain may not have the finesse of his midfield partners but his appetite for work was impressive. His deflected shot gave Liverpool the breakthrough before he made way for Keita in the 72rd minute. Getty Images
    Jordan Henderson – 8. The captain may not have the finesse of his midfield partners but his appetite for work was impressive. His deflected shot gave Liverpool the breakthrough before he made way for Keita in the 72rd minute. Getty Images
  • Fabinho – 8. The Brazilian’s pressing unnerved the Villarreal midfield. His distribution was good and he was not afraid to tackle. Reuters
    Fabinho – 8. The Brazilian’s pressing unnerved the Villarreal midfield. His distribution was good and he was not afraid to tackle. Reuters
  • Thiago Alcantara – 8. The 31-year-old was prominent as Liverpool dominated the middle. His quick passing kept the team on the move and his pressing was superb. AP Photo
    Thiago Alcantara – 8. The 31-year-old was prominent as Liverpool dominated the middle. His quick passing kept the team on the move and his pressing was superb. AP Photo
  • Mohamed Salah – 8. The Egyptian had to work to find space in the crowded defence but he managed to fire in a couple of threatening efforts. His astute pass set up the second goal. EPA
    Mohamed Salah – 8. The Egyptian had to work to find space in the crowded defence but he managed to fire in a couple of threatening efforts. His astute pass set up the second goal. EPA
  • Sadio Mane – 8. The Senegalese never gave Villarreal the chance to relax. He should have done better with a first-half header but he more than made up for that with the second goal. Jota came on for him with 17 minutes left. Getty Images
    Sadio Mane – 8. The Senegalese never gave Villarreal the chance to relax. He should have done better with a first-half header but he more than made up for that with the second goal. Jota came on for him with 17 minutes left. Getty Images
  • Luis Diaz – 7. The Colombian engaged in a compelling battle with Foyth and came out on top. He produced a couple of shots that were too close to the goalkeeper. Origi replaced him with nine minutes left. Reuters
    Luis Diaz – 7. The Colombian engaged in a compelling battle with Foyth and came out on top. He produced a couple of shots that were too close to the goalkeeper. Origi replaced him with nine minutes left. Reuters
  • SUBS: Naby Keita – 7. The Guinean replaced Henderson in the 72rd minute. He made sure the pressing remained effective until the final whistle. AP
    SUBS: Naby Keita – 7. The Guinean replaced Henderson in the 72rd minute. He made sure the pressing remained effective until the final whistle. AP
  • Diogo Jota – 6. The Portuguese joined the action at Mane’s expense in the 73rd minute. He kept the defence honest without threatening too much. Getty
    Diogo Jota – 6. The Portuguese joined the action at Mane’s expense in the 73rd minute. He kept the defence honest without threatening too much. Getty
  • Divock Origi – 6. The Belgian came on for the last nine minutes when Diaz was substituted. He offered himself as a target man and held the ball up well. AP
    Divock Origi – 6. The Belgian came on for the last nine minutes when Diaz was substituted. He offered himself as a target man and held the ball up well. AP
  • Joe Gomez – 6. The 24-year-old entered the fray for Alexander-Arnold with nine minutes to go. His short cameo was efficient and secure. Getty Images
    Joe Gomez – 6. The 24-year-old entered the fray for Alexander-Arnold with nine minutes to go. His short cameo was efficient and secure. Getty Images
  • VILLARREAL RATINGS: Geronimo Rulli – 5. The Argentine displayed a tendency to punch the ball and was insecure in his handling. He did not inspire a sense of security in the defence. Action Images
    VILLARREAL RATINGS: Geronimo Rulli – 5. The Argentine displayed a tendency to punch the ball and was insecure in his handling. He did not inspire a sense of security in the defence. Action Images
  • Juan Foyth – 6. The Argentine got tied up in a tussle with Diaz. He did well in the first half but looked weary as the game went on. Getty Images
    Juan Foyth – 6. The Argentine got tied up in a tussle with Diaz. He did well in the first half but looked weary as the game went on. Getty Images
  • Raul Albiol – 7. The 36-year-old used all of his experience to keep Liverpool at bay. But for his presence, the scoreline could have been much uglier. AFP
    Raul Albiol – 7. The 36-year-old used all of his experience to keep Liverpool at bay. But for his presence, the scoreline could have been much uglier. AFP
  • Pau Torres – 6. The Spaniard made a sharp early clearance and continued in that vein. He was not afraid of bringing the ball out when under pressure but he might have done better for the second goal. Reuters
    Pau Torres – 6. The Spaniard made a sharp early clearance and continued in that vein. He was not afraid of bringing the ball out when under pressure but he might have done better for the second goal. Reuters
  • Pervis Estupinan – 4. The Ecuadorian was given a severe examination by Salah and the strain began to tell on him in the second half. He was replaced by Munoz in the 72nd minute after deflecting the first goal into the net. EPA
    Pervis Estupinan – 4. The Ecuadorian was given a severe examination by Salah and the strain began to tell on him in the second half. He was replaced by Munoz in the 72nd minute after deflecting the first goal into the net. EPA
  • Giovani Lo Celso – 6. The Argentine was let down by his control when a clear chance looked possible. He got back and helped out in his own area and made a good block from a Salah shot. AFP
    Giovani Lo Celso – 6. The Argentine was let down by his control when a clear chance looked possible. He got back and helped out in his own area and made a good block from a Salah shot. AFP
  • Etienne Capoue – 4. The Frenchman allowed the Liverpool midfield to dominate. He was bypassed by the play much too often. Getty Images
    Etienne Capoue – 4. The Frenchman allowed the Liverpool midfield to dominate. He was bypassed by the play much too often. Getty Images
  • Dani Parejo – 4. The Spaniard struggled against the Liverpool press. He found Lo Celso behind the defence from a long free kick but the Argentine could not control the ball. Aurier came on for him in the 72nd minute. EPA
    Dani Parejo – 4. The Spaniard struggled against the Liverpool press. He found Lo Celso behind the defence from a long free kick but the Argentine could not control the ball. Aurier came on for him in the 72nd minute. EPA
  • Francis Coquelin – 4. The Frenchman could not stamp his mark on the game. Ineffective throughout, he made way for Pedraza in the 57th minute. PA
    Francis Coquelin – 4. The Frenchman could not stamp his mark on the game. Ineffective throughout, he made way for Pedraza in the 57th minute. PA
  • Samuel Chukwueze – 3. The Nigerian could not get on the ball and surrendered possession when the defence needed respite. The climax of a peripheral performance came when he was taken off in the 72nd minute for Dia. Getty Images
    Samuel Chukwueze – 3. The Nigerian could not get on the ball and surrendered possession when the defence needed respite. The climax of a peripheral performance came when he was taken off in the 72nd minute for Dia. Getty Images
  • Arnaut Danjuma – 3. The 25-year-old played a slack pass with his team threatening to open up the defence on one of the rare occasions he got support. He offered little and was substituted for Alcacer with four minutes left. AFP
    Arnaut Danjuma – 3. The 25-year-old played a slack pass with his team threatening to open up the defence on one of the rare occasions he got support. He offered little and was substituted for Alcacer with four minutes left. AFP
  • SUBS: Alfonso Pedraza – 5. The winger replaced Coquelin in the 57th minute. It was difficult for him to get involved because Liverpool were in control. AFP
    SUBS: Alfonso Pedraza – 5. The winger replaced Coquelin in the 57th minute. It was difficult for him to get involved because Liverpool were in control. AFP
  • Serge Aurier – 5. The Ivorian entered the game for Parejo in the 72nd minute. He could do little to change the course of the game. AFP
    Serge Aurier – 5. The Ivorian entered the game for Parejo in the 72nd minute. He could do little to change the course of the game. AFP
  • Manu Trigueros – 4. The 30-year-old came on for Estupinan in the 72nd minute. He barely saw the ball. AP Photo
    Manu Trigueros – 4. The 30-year-old came on for Estupinan in the 72nd minute. He barely saw the ball. AP Photo
  • Boulaye Dia – 5. The 25-year-old replaced Chukwueze in the 72nd minute. He offered options up front but not a cutting edge. Reuters
    Boulaye Dia – 5. The 25-year-old replaced Chukwueze in the 72nd minute. He offered options up front but not a cutting edge. Reuters
  • Paco Alcacer – 4. The 28-year-old was Villarreal’s final substitute, for Danjuma, with four minutes left. The striker hardly got a touch. AFP
    Paco Alcacer – 4. The 28-year-old was Villarreal’s final substitute, for Danjuma, with four minutes left. The striker hardly got a touch. AFP

The town, with its population of around 50,000 – less than the number of seats in Anfield – has only once before reached the last four of Europe’s principal club competition, when, in 2006, they lost narrowly to Arsenal.

Emery has known some dramatic turnarounds in Europe. He has a decent one on his recent CV, when, as manager of Arsenal in 2019, he overcame a 3-1 first leg deficit in a Europa League last-16 tie against Rennes via a 3-0 second leg home win. He might also take inspiration from a famous see-saw Champions League quarter-final won by a provincial Spanish club managed by his close friend Javier Irureta 18 seasons ago: That was Deportivo La Coruna 4, AC Milan 0, after Milan had won the Italy leg 4-1.

Emery was also reminded, as he spoke to reporters, of his proximity to a stunning reverse of more recent memory, when Paris Saint-Germain visited Barcelona in 2017 armed with a 4-0 lead from the Parc des Princes leg. Barcelona progressed, 6-1 winners at Camp Nou.

The unfortunate Emery was manager of PSG at the time. More than five years on, he cannot resist a veiled barb at the refereeing during that Barcelona comeback, in the era before VAR became standard. “I am not looking at outside precedents for what we need to do,” said Emery. “We know what we are capable of, and making up a two-goal deficit is hard. But we’ve played well at home, we see good refereeing these days and we have a good connection with our fans.”

How Villarreal and Liverpool reached the semi-finals

  • HOW VILLARREAL AND LIVERPOOL REACHED CL SEMI-FINALS - GROUP F: September 14, 2021 - Villarreal 2 (Trigueros 39', Danjuma 73') Atalanta 2 (Freuler 6', Gosens 83'). Villarreal midfielder Dano Parejo said: “Of course, we wanted to win and get off to a winning start at home ... but little by little we were able to start playing our football. I’m happy with the effort our boys put in." Getty
    HOW VILLARREAL AND LIVERPOOL REACHED CL SEMI-FINALS - GROUP F: September 14, 2021 - Villarreal 2 (Trigueros 39', Danjuma 73') Atalanta 2 (Freuler 6', Gosens 83'). Villarreal midfielder Dano Parejo said: “Of course, we wanted to win and get off to a winning start at home ... but little by little we were able to start playing our football. I’m happy with the effort our boys put in." Getty
  • GROUP B: September 15, 2021 - Liverpool 3 (Tomori og 9', Salah 48', Henderson 69') AC Milan 2 (Rebic 42', Diaz 44'). Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said: "We started incredibly well. We played a super, super game. An intense game but football wise as well. It is deserved but we had 10 minutes where Milan nearly changed the whole tie." Getty
    GROUP B: September 15, 2021 - Liverpool 3 (Tomori og 9', Salah 48', Henderson 69') AC Milan 2 (Rebic 42', Diaz 44'). Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said: "We started incredibly well. We played a super, super game. An intense game but football wise as well. It is deserved but we had 10 minutes where Milan nearly changed the whole tie." Getty
  • GROUP B: September 28, 2021 - Porto 1 (Taremi 74') Liverpool 5 (Salah 18', 60', Mane 45'), Firmino 77', 81'). Klopp said: "First and foremost the most important thing is the result. It is a massive one away at Porto. Winning, and the way we won, makes it better. It was good in lots of moments." Getty
    GROUP B: September 28, 2021 - Porto 1 (Taremi 74') Liverpool 5 (Salah 18', 60', Mane 45'), Firmino 77', 81'). Klopp said: "First and foremost the most important thing is the result. It is a massive one away at Porto. Winning, and the way we won, makes it better. It was good in lots of moments." Getty
  • GROUP F: September 29, 2021 - Manchester United 2 (Telles 60', Ronaldo 90'+5) Villarreal 1 (Alcacer (53'). Villarreal defender Pau Torres said: "We're annoyed. The game was basically over, we just needed to see it out and we didn't. We need to learn from this. We were impeccable before that ... being better than Man Utd at Old Trafford." Reuters
    GROUP F: September 29, 2021 - Manchester United 2 (Telles 60', Ronaldo 90'+5) Villarreal 1 (Alcacer (53'). Villarreal defender Pau Torres said: "We're annoyed. The game was basically over, we just needed to see it out and we didn't. We need to learn from this. We were impeccable before that ... being better than Man Utd at Old Trafford." Reuters
  • GROUP B: October 19, 2021 - Atletico Madrid 2 (Griezmann 20', 34') Liverpool 3 (Salah 8', pen 78'minutes , Keita 13'). Klopp said: "A tough game which we expected. Did we expect it to be that defensive? Probably not. It was not so easy. We played a really solid second half in a tough game with intense football from both teams." EPA
    GROUP B: October 19, 2021 - Atletico Madrid 2 (Griezmann 20', 34') Liverpool 3 (Salah 8', pen 78'minutes , Keita 13'). Klopp said: "A tough game which we expected. Did we expect it to be that defensive? Probably not. It was not so easy. We played a really solid second half in a tough game with intense football from both teams." EPA
  • GROUP F: October 20, 2021 - Young Boys 1 (Elia 77') Villarreal 4 (Pino 6', Moreno 16', Moreno 88', Chukwueze 90'+). Villarreal manager Unai Emery said: "They put a lot of players in the box, and we knew that our goalkeeper was going to have a lot of work today. Rulli did great and we are happy for him, he really helped the team." EPA
    GROUP F: October 20, 2021 - Young Boys 1 (Elia 77') Villarreal 4 (Pino 6', Moreno 16', Moreno 88', Chukwueze 90'+). Villarreal manager Unai Emery said: "They put a lot of players in the box, and we knew that our goalkeeper was going to have a lot of work today. Rulli did great and we are happy for him, he really helped the team." EPA
  • GROUP F: November 2, 2021 - Villarreal 2 Capoue 36', Danjuma 89') Young Boys 0. Villarreal midfielder Dani Parejo said: "These two consecutive wins are very important for us. We're playing at home in front of our fans and winning today meant we are near the top of the group. There are two very difficult games left, but we believe in ourselves." AFP
    GROUP F: November 2, 2021 - Villarreal 2 Capoue 36', Danjuma 89') Young Boys 0. Villarreal midfielder Dani Parejo said: "These two consecutive wins are very important for us. We're playing at home in front of our fans and winning today meant we are near the top of the group. There are two very difficult games left, but we believe in ourselves." AFP
  • GROUP B: October 19, 2021 - Liverpool 2 (Jota 13', Mane 21') Atletico Madrid 0. Klopp said: "I think the game was nearly perfect. We scored the goals in the right moments. I didn't expect we would be through after four games but the boys did it and it's really well deserved." AP
    GROUP B: October 19, 2021 - Liverpool 2 (Jota 13', Mane 21') Atletico Madrid 0. Klopp said: "I think the game was nearly perfect. We scored the goals in the right moments. I didn't expect we would be through after four games but the boys did it and it's really well deserved." AP
  • GROUP F: November 23, 2021 - Villarreal 0 Manchester United 2 (Ronaldo 78', Sancho 90'). Villarreal midfielder Emery said: "I'll take positives from the 60 or 70 minutes that we were the better side than the favourites tonight. In the end, they were better and we couldn't force a draw after going behind. These things happen and we now need to focus on trying to qualify against Atalanta." EPA
    GROUP F: November 23, 2021 - Villarreal 0 Manchester United 2 (Ronaldo 78', Sancho 90'). Villarreal midfielder Emery said: "I'll take positives from the 60 or 70 minutes that we were the better side than the favourites tonight. In the end, they were better and we couldn't force a draw after going behind. These things happen and we now need to focus on trying to qualify against Atalanta." EPA
  • GROUP B: Novmeber 24, 2021 - Liverpool 2 (Thiago 52', Salah 70') Porto 0. Klopp said: "We could have done better and been more calm in the first half but we were a bit hectic. That is not unusual when you put a team out that has not played together a lot. Thiago's goal, wow! It is so important, so many good things happened tonight." EPA
    GROUP B: Novmeber 24, 2021 - Liverpool 2 (Thiago 52', Salah 70') Porto 0. Klopp said: "We could have done better and been more calm in the first half but we were a bit hectic. That is not unusual when you put a team out that has not played together a lot. Thiago's goal, wow! It is so important, so many good things happened tonight." EPA
  • GROUP B: December 7, 2021 - AC Milan 1 (Tomori 28') Liverpool 2 (Salah 36'), Origi 55'). Klopp said: "What the boys did tonight I could not be more proud. It was an incredible game. I am so happy. The performance was outstanding. Having 21 shots, so many situations where we played outstandingly well." EPA
    GROUP B: December 7, 2021 - AC Milan 1 (Tomori 28') Liverpool 2 (Salah 36'), Origi 55'). Klopp said: "What the boys did tonight I could not be more proud. It was an incredible game. I am so happy. The performance was outstanding. Having 21 shots, so many situations where we played outstandingly well." EPA
  • GROUP F: December 9, 2021 - Atalanta 2 (Malinovskyi 71', Zapata 80') Villarreal 3 (Danjuma 3', 51', Capoue 42'). Villarreal midfielder Etienne Capoue: "The key was to be clinical tonight. We did that really well. Every opportunity we had, we scored. That's the most important thing in football. Big teams do that and we did that tonight. We are really proud." EPA
    GROUP F: December 9, 2021 - Atalanta 2 (Malinovskyi 71', Zapata 80') Villarreal 3 (Danjuma 3', 51', Capoue 42'). Villarreal midfielder Etienne Capoue: "The key was to be clinical tonight. We did that really well. Every opportunity we had, we scored. That's the most important thing in football. Big teams do that and we did that tonight. We are really proud." EPA
  • LAST-16 FIRST LEG: February 16, 2022 - Inter Milan 0 Liverpool 2 (Firmino 75'), Salah 83'). Liverpool defender Andy Robertson said: "We need to be better than we were tonight to make sure we reach the last eight, but we have the benefit of having two goals. If we don't put in a good performance [at Anfield] we won't be through." AP
    LAST-16 FIRST LEG: February 16, 2022 - Inter Milan 0 Liverpool 2 (Firmino 75'), Salah 83'). Liverpool defender Andy Robertson said: "We need to be better than we were tonight to make sure we reach the last eight, but we have the benefit of having two goals. If we don't put in a good performance [at Anfield] we won't be through." AP
  • LAST-16 FIRST LEG: February 22, 2022 - Villarreal 1 (Parejo 66') Juventus 1 (Vlahovic 1'). Capoue said: "It's a bit of frustration as we need to win these games at home, but we played a good game. It's really tough to score against a side like Juventus, but we did that and we believe we can go through. It'll be tough, but we can do it." Reuters
    LAST-16 FIRST LEG: February 22, 2022 - Villarreal 1 (Parejo 66') Juventus 1 (Vlahovic 1'). Capoue said: "It's a bit of frustration as we need to win these games at home, but we played a good game. It's really tough to score against a side like Juventus, but we did that and we believe we can go through. It'll be tough, but we can do it." Reuters
  • LAST-16 SECOND LEG: March 8, 2022 - Liverpool 0 Inter Milan 1 (Martinez 61'). Liverpool win 2-1 on aggregate. Klopp said: "The art of football is to lose the right games. I still hate it, but if there was any game we could have afforded to lose it was this one because the main target of this competition is to get through. I'm really happy ... because when we saw the draw it was 'OK, that's a tough one'." Reuters
    LAST-16 SECOND LEG: March 8, 2022 - Liverpool 0 Inter Milan 1 (Martinez 61'). Liverpool win 2-1 on aggregate. Klopp said: "The art of football is to lose the right games. I still hate it, but if there was any game we could have afforded to lose it was this one because the main target of this competition is to get through. I'm really happy ... because when we saw the draw it was 'OK, that's a tough one'." Reuters
  • LAST-16 SECOND LEG: March 16, 2022 - Juventus 0 Villarreal 3 (Moreno pen 78'), Torres 85', Danjuma pen 90'+2). Villarreal win 4-1 on aggregate. Villarreal defender Pau Torres said: "Not even in our best planning sessions for the game did we think we'd win with that scoreline. We knew they'd have chances. [Villarreal goalkeeper] Rulli was great and we were a little lucky, but you need that." EPA
    LAST-16 SECOND LEG: March 16, 2022 - Juventus 0 Villarreal 3 (Moreno pen 78'), Torres 85', Danjuma pen 90'+2). Villarreal win 4-1 on aggregate. Villarreal defender Pau Torres said: "Not even in our best planning sessions for the game did we think we'd win with that scoreline. We knew they'd have chances. [Villarreal goalkeeper] Rulli was great and we were a little lucky, but you need that." EPA
  • QUARTER-FINAL FIRST LEG: April 6, 2022 - Benfica 1 (Nunez 49') Liverpool 3 (Konate 17', Mane 34', Díaz 87'). Klopp said: "Coming here and winning an away game in the Champions League is tough. Obviously, Benfica fought for their lives. We could have scored in the last minute - the fourth one would be nice but we're not in dreamland here. EPA
    QUARTER-FINAL FIRST LEG: April 6, 2022 - Benfica 1 (Nunez 49') Liverpool 3 (Konate 17', Mane 34', Díaz 87'). Klopp said: "Coming here and winning an away game in the Champions League is tough. Obviously, Benfica fought for their lives. We could have scored in the last minute - the fourth one would be nice but we're not in dreamland here. EPA
  • QUARTER-FINAL FIRST LEG: April 6, 2022 - Villarreal 1 (Danjuma 8') Bayern Munich 0. Villarreal winger Arnaut Danjuma said: "Champions League nights are incomparable. We can still be so much better than we've shown today. Then again, if you win 1-0 against Bayern and can still improve, that's a positive. Unai [Emery] is a tactical mastermind. We're confident in him and he's confident in us." Reuters
    QUARTER-FINAL FIRST LEG: April 6, 2022 - Villarreal 1 (Danjuma 8') Bayern Munich 0. Villarreal winger Arnaut Danjuma said: "Champions League nights are incomparable. We can still be so much better than we've shown today. Then again, if you win 1-0 against Bayern and can still improve, that's a positive. Unai [Emery] is a tactical mastermind. We're confident in him and he's confident in us." Reuters
  • QUARTER-FINAL SECOND LEG: April 12, 2022 - Bayern Munich 1 (Lewandowski 52') Villarreal 1 (Chukwueze 88'). Villarreal win 2-1 on aggregate. Emery said: "It's an extraordinary feeling, it was not easy for us. We are moving forward step by step ... but our goal before this game was not to give a good image of us, it was to qualify. To achieve something, you have to do important things and beat the favourites." Getty
    QUARTER-FINAL SECOND LEG: April 12, 2022 - Bayern Munich 1 (Lewandowski 52') Villarreal 1 (Chukwueze 88'). Villarreal win 2-1 on aggregate. Emery said: "It's an extraordinary feeling, it was not easy for us. We are moving forward step by step ... but our goal before this game was not to give a good image of us, it was to qualify. To achieve something, you have to do important things and beat the favourites." Getty
  • QUARTER-FINAL FIRST LEG: April 6, 2022 - Liverpool 3 (Konate 21', Firmino 55', 65') Benfica 3 (Ramos 32'), Yaremchuk 73', Nunez 82'). Liverpool win 6-4 on aggregate. Klopp said: "The day we qualify for the Champions League semi-final and I'm not happy please come and knock me out. It was not exactly what we wanted but ... we are through and that's all that matters." EPA
    QUARTER-FINAL FIRST LEG: April 6, 2022 - Liverpool 3 (Konate 21', Firmino 55', 65') Benfica 3 (Ramos 32'), Yaremchuk 73', Nunez 82'). Liverpool win 6-4 on aggregate. Klopp said: "The day we qualify for the Champions League semi-final and I'm not happy please come and knock me out. It was not exactly what we wanted but ... we are through and that's all that matters." EPA

Peer too closely at the great comebacks of modern Champions League history, and the club you find featuring a great deal is Liverpool – and not as the ambushed, beaten victims. Most famously, they won their fifth European Cup from 3-0 down at half-time in Istanbul, doing to Milan, who lost that final on penalties, what Deportivo had done the previous season. A highlight of the Klopp era is the sensational turnaround of a 3-0 first-leg deficit to Barcelona in the 2009 semi-final. Liverpool won the Anfield leg 4-0.

Look too closely at the current Liverpool juggernaut and Emery can scarcely be encouraged, either. In 56 matches this season, Klopp’s team have lost three times. All were defeats by a single goal – including Inter’s win at Anfield in the tie they lost – and only for 14 minutes have Liverpool trailed in matches by a two-goal margin.

“We are playing a side full of confidence,” Emery admitted, with a smile. “We’re going to have to find something in them, some weakness that nobody else has managed to do.”

Updated: May 03, 2022, 2:55 AM
Champions LeagueLiverpool