Four Findings: Liverpool 3-0 Villarreal

For the twelfth time in their history, Liverpool have reached a European final. From the first whistle to the last, the Reds ripped through Villarreal 3-0, setting Anfield alight and booking their ticket to Basel’s Europa League final.

In the first match to be played at Anfield since the Hillsborough verdict, scenes erupted across the ground from the stirring “You’ll Never Walk Alone” to Margaret Aspinall’s half-time speech Merseyside roared with life and support for the Reds. They more than rose to meet the emotion.

Goals change games. The early own goal surrendered by Villarreal highlighted just how rattled the visitors were. The crowd was, without doubt, a factor in proceedings, fueling Liverpool’s onslaught and ascent.

While Jurgen Klopp’s tactics may have been foiled at the last moment in Spain, at home they were even more shrewdly effective. Liverpool blitzed the Yellow Submarine from the off, pressing and ultimately overwhelming the Spanish side to the point that half-time proved a desperately needed reprieve.

Yet the Reds offered little relief upon the restart. The famed Anfield atmosphere, a Liverpool side surging with desire and tempo, all made for another magical night for a club with many of them.

Here are four findings from the match.