Three goals in rapid succession from Fabinho, Luis Diaz and Sadio Mane rocketed Liverpool to a 3-2 victory (5-2 on aggregate) and a third Champions League final in just five years, though the scoreline — quite literally — told only half the story.
Despite arriving at Estadio de la Cerámica with a two-goal advantage, Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp had warned that his side would have to be “ready to suffer,” and the German’s words proved prophetic as Villarreal stunned the visitors with a ferocious first-half display.
Early goals from Boulaye Dia and Francis Coquelin sent the “Yellow Submarine” — affectionately nicknamed due to their luminescent yellow kit — into uncharted waters, threatening to sink Liverpool’s hopes of becoming the first side to win the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup in the same campaign.
More to follow.