Who will they face in the final?
There’s no doubt that Jurgen Klopp once again worked his magic in the Liverpool changing rooms at half time of his side’s Champions League semi-final clash with Villarreal. With the home side two goals up and with all the momentum, the German manager clearly said something that turned his team around.
Club Comparison
£810.45m
Market Value
£344.25m
First Tier
League Level
First Tier
£76.50m
Expenditures 21/22
£49.05m
Jürgen Klopp
Managers
Unai Emery
Full Club Comparison
After first half goals from Boulaye Dia and Etienne Capoue to level the tie, Klopp made the all-important decision to bring on Luis Diaz for Diogo Jota. A smart tactical move that stretched the game and forced the hosts to take a step back, but also one that allowed Liverpool to put their foot on the ball and play their typical game. And it didn’t take long for the Anfield giants to get back on top.
Shortly after the hour mark defensive midfielder Fabinho found himself darting into the Villarreal box with the time and space to fire a shot directly at the keeper, which flew through his legs. Five minutes later the half-time substitute Diaz latched on to a cross to fire home his team’s second. Sadio Mane then took advantage of another goalkeeping mistake in the 74th minute to put the tie to bed with time to spare. However, Liverpool 3-2 win in the Estadio de la Cerámica was not only a remarkable comeback in isolation but also further proof of the club’s impeccable Champions League record since Klopp took over in 2017.
Three finals in five years – Klopp’s unmatched record in Europe
As Liverpool fans will be well aware of, Klopp and their team have been fantastic in Europe’s premier competition since the German manager’s first season at the club, when the Anfield side marched to the final but were ultimately beaten by Real Madrid in a 3-1 defeat. However, that didn’t stop Klopp or his side.
In the following season Liverpool once again marched to the final, where they then played fellow Premier League overachievers Tottenham Hotspur. However, unlike their first attempt against the Spanish giants, Liverpool came out victorious in this tie and won the competition with a 2-0 victory over Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
Club Comparison
£810.45m
Market Value
£680.85m
First Tier
League Level
First Tier
£76.50m
Expenditures 21/22
£27.90m
Jürgen Klopp
Managers
Carlo Ancelotti
Full Club Comparison
What followed was two years of relative difficulty, as Liverpool struggled with changes to their squad and serious injury concerns. In the 2019/20 season, Klopp’s team were knocked out at the Last 16 stage by Atletico Madrid and were then once again dumped out of the competition by a Spanish side again just 12 months later when Madrid once again got the better of them.
Benzema climbs to fifth place: Most goals in a Champions League season
However, this season has seen Liverpool look back to their very best. And following victories over Inter in the Last 16 and Benfica in the quarter-finals, Klopp’s side were to book their spot in a third Champions League final in just five seasons following a convincing victory over Villarreal. The only questions that remains is who will they face in Paris and will they be able to win another European trophy under Klopp.
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