3 Things We Learnt From Villarreal 2-3 Liverpool

 1) Horrendous 1st half

This was, by far, Liverpool's worst half of the season. By the end of the half, Liverpool had already bottled the 2 goal lead they took to Spain. They got off to the worst possible start as they conceded in the 3rd minute of the game. For the first goal, Estupinan crossed the ball without any pressure and it was found by Capoue who made a late run and got past Robertson to deliver the ball to Dia who came in front of Van Dijk to score. There were shades of this in the second goal as well. Roberston once again fails to deal with Capoue as he crosses the ball into the box. Coquelin makes a late run and heads the ball over Trent who was left ball watching. Besides conceding twice, Liverpool were also abysmal in their overall play. Liverpool's midfield has been excellent in the second half of the season, especially since April. However tonight, the 2nd half of the Brighton game at Anfield sprang to mind as Liverpool's midfield nearly vanished. Liverpool could barely break out of their half and were left defending for almost the entire 45 minutes. 

2) Luiz Diaz, the Game Changer 

What a signing Luiz Diaz has been, hasn't he? After the calamitous 1st half, Klopp didn't wait too long to make changes. He immediately introduced Diaz who replaced Jota. As soon as he came on, Liverpool looked like a different animal. He was aggressive and direct and gave Foyth a problem or two. He scored Liverpool's second on the night as his run was picked up by Trent's left footed cross before heading the ball past Rulli. 

3) Mentality Monsters

Liverpool don't ever do it the easy way, do they? After Liverpool's first half showing, even the most optimistic Liverpool fans would have had their hearts in their mouths. Villarreal, playing at home, had all the momentum in the world and it looked like the score would soon be 3-0 than 2-1. Liverpool know a thing or two about comebacks but unfortunately this time, they were about to be on the wrong side of it. But Liverpool had other plans. It was obvious that Liverpool would come back into the game but no one envisaged that they would not only progress to the Final but also win the game. Thanks to the goals from Fabinho, Diaz and Mane, Liverpool will now play their 10th European/Champions League Final and their 3rd in 5 years, in Paris.