2021/2022 Champions League: Not the Super League

67YAZ

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Pool looking sharp, pushing mainly down the right side. Villarreal doing well to weather the storm.

TAA is occasionally swapping with Henderson in possession - Trent sliding into a central attacking spot while the Captain covers the right flank. It’s been effective -Trent just won a juicy free kick, but one quick counter could totally expose Henderson lack of pace.
 

HowBoutDemSox

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Villarreal don’t even seem capable of mounting an effective counter on the few occasions they can get the ball back (compared to, say, Everton over the weekend, who could at least threaten).
 

67YAZ

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That was an incredible half for Pool. All that was missing was the goal, but the press and the attacking moves were just beautiful.

Credit to Villarreal for holding down the fort.
 

Morgan's Magic Snowplow

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Across 7.5 cup knockout matches against Arsenal, United, Bayern, Juventus, and now Liverpool over the last two seasons Emery’s Villarreal has given up only four goals total.

Of course when he coached Arsenal he managed to give up four to Chelsea in a span of about 20 minutes in the 2019 Europa League final.
 

67YAZ

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The Captain breaks through! It was a deflected cross, but no doubt Pool have earned their lead.
 

ehaz

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2-0 doesn't do this game justice. Liverpool has absolutely dominated Villareal through 70 minutes so far.
 

candylandriots

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2-0 doesn't do this game justice. Liverpool has absolutely dominated Villareal through 70 minutes so far.
How did Bayern get knocked out by these guys?
I was literally just about to write both of these things. I’ve only seen the second half, but I’d take Palace or Union against Villareal tonight.

Shit, Burnley would have been better I think.
 

67YAZ

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I’d say that this was one of LFC’s greatest performances in a major European tournament…but hell, how many semi-finalists have ever parked the bus like Villarreal did? Pool was excellent, but bottom half EPL sides are more aggressive at Anfield.
 
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SocrManiac

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Bayern didn’t take Villarreal seriously and got bitten. Villarreal took the wrong lesson from their win over Bayern and got bitten.

The worst thing from Emery’s standpoint is that he didn’t learn anything today. He didn’t probe Liverpool at all to see if he had any matchups or areas to exploit. I’d expect a similar result for the return leg.
 

Pesky Pole

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Looks like CBS moved today's game back to Paramount Plus. Looks like Univision is an option for those without Paramount Plus.

And the lineups are out:

Villarreal: Rulli; Foyth, Albiol, Torres, Estupinan; Coquelin, Capoue, Parejo, Lo Celso; Moreno, Dia

Substitutes: Asenjo, Jorgensen, Gaspar, Alcacer, Iborra, Chukwueze, Trigueros, Pena, Mandi, Gomez, Pedraza, Aurier

Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Keita, Thiago; Salah, Jota, Mane

Substitutes: Kelleher, Gomez, Matip, Tsimikas, Henderson, Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Elliott, Jones, Minamino, Diaz, Origi
 
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67YAZ

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Keita has been disastrous all game long.
Yeah, I would like to see the Captain in here to settle things and pass with much better accuracy.

Villarreal are completely different side today. They are high pressing with intensity and, when playing from their own half, are getting vertical and stretching Liverpool apart.

Where's the team that didn't even want the ball last week?
 

ehaz

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Kudos to Villareal, they're playing great.

Coquelin can fuck right off though.
 

67YAZ

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Yikes, that could have killed Alison.

I think the no call is correct, but if I were a Villarreal fan, I can see the other side...
 

67YAZ

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Robbo overplayed the touchline, bit on the pullback.

And so, so weak by TAA. Go at the ball.
 

allstonite

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LFC need the half. They seem shell shocked. Credit to Villarreal their passing and aggressiveness have been incredible this half
 

Gunfighter 09

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If Spurs (Spanish Version) can make Liverpool play a really hard 120 minutes tonight I will be really happy going into the match on Saturday.
 

fletcherpost

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Even the best teams have a stinker of a half in the locker. But, credit to Villarreal, made it uncomfortable for Liverpool. Hendo ought to start the second half. All to play for.
 

Mighty Joe Young

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I think LFC was shocked with Villareal’s intensity … constantly forcing turnover after turnover. Liverpool were second to virtually every ball. all in all a dreadful performance.

So .. Henderson for Keita right away. They really need to stabilize the midfield. And I’d swap Diaz for Jota as well.
 

67YAZ

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Much better organization to start the half. There were triangles in the midfield for the first time.
 

67YAZ

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The good opportunities are being made. Come on, boys, put one in.
 

bosox4283

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Did Villarreal abandon what worked for them in the first half, or is it simply a matter that that intensity and level of play were not sustainable for more than 50 minutes?