Villarreal vs. Liverpool: Score, Reaction from 2016 Europa League Semi-Final
Villarreal stole a victory with the last kick of the game against Liverpool as they prevailed 1-0 in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League semi-final match at El Madrigal in a dull affair in Spain on Thursday.
Despite the lack of action or incident, it seemed a excellent night for the Premier League side, who came to defend and avoid a negative scoreline.
The hosts did little to hurt the Reds in a lacklustre display and wasted good opportunities to obtain a bigger lead.
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Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp overlooked Daniel Sturridge's claim on the loan striker role, opting for the flair of Roberto Firmino as striker, with Adam Lallana and Philippe Coutinho flanking the Brazil international.
Jaume Costa recovered from injury that kept him out against Real Sociedad to replace Antonio Rukavina at left-back for Villarreal, while Jonathan Dos Santos came in for Samu Castillejo on the right of a compact four-man midfield.
Klopp explained why he decided to bench the England international star, per BT Sport:
There was an excellent atmosphere in the stadium as the match began, with an affinity apparent between both sets of supporters, as shared by BT Sport:
The hosts looked bright in the opening stages as Liverpool looked to counter-attack through their full backs and midfielders.
The Reds missed a huge opportunity to take the lead in just the sixth minute, but Joe Allen failed to convert after Lallana flashed the ball across the box.
However, it was the Yellow Submarine who had the best of the first 15 minutes, as highlighted by Ed Malyon of the Mirror:
Liverpool settled to the task at hand as Klopp remained animated in the technical area, and his side slowly began to turn the screw as they searched for an away goal in a chess match of an encounter.
Villarreal should have taken the lead 10 minutes before the half-time break as Dos Santos saw his deflected effort balloon over the crossbar to safety.
Roberto Soldado's excellent attempt from distance almost found the corner a minute before the half-time whistle, but the Spaniard was unfortunate not to open the scoring as his curling effort drifted wide.
Villarreal remained solid throughout the first half, but their opponents played within their capabilities as they looked to manage the result.
Squawka.com provided the vital stats at the break in a very even encounter:
Klopp made a swift change at half-time as Jordon Ibe replaced Coutinho for the second half, but the swap almost saw the hosts take the lead as Cedric Bakambu glanced his header against the woodwork from a well-delivered corner kick.
Liverpool continued to work hard with and without the ball, typical of Klopp's stylistic principles, but their Spanish opposition remained disciplined in defence and midfield without cheaply giving away territory.
A goalmouth scramble once again almost saw the home team nearly profit as Soldado threatened, but Villarreal failed to penetrate Liverpool's defence.
The game was at a stalemate on the hour mark as both teams appeared more intent on a clean sheet than scoring, and the quality of play suffered as the pace became increasingly pedestrian.
Home fans held their breath after 64 minutes as Firmino was denied a priceless away goal by the fingertips of 'keeper Sergio Asenjo and the post.
BBC 5 Live Sport's Ian Dennis passed comment on the attacking midfielder playing as a No. 9:
As the game petered out into an apparent goalless draw, Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet was forced into a save late in the day to maintain the visitors' clean sheet in a frantic last few moments of the tie.
However, Liverpool hearts were broken with the last kick of the game as Adrian tapped home after a last-ditch attack from the host side.
It was a professional night's work by Liverpool who will feel they can take the Spanish team back to Anfield and get the result they need, but they will feel shattered after the very late strike.
Post-Match Reaction:
Klopp was philosophical after watching his team's painful defeat in Spain, but the manager believes his side will turn the match on its head at Anfield, per BT Sport.
The second leg will be played at Anfield on Thursday, May 5.
