Liverpool can never ever do it the easy way.
Two nil up going in the second leg after a dominant performance at Anfield the perception was that the Reds were already in the final.
However at half-time Villareal had pulled the lead back to all level on aggregate with Jurgen Klopp’s side looking rattled and completely out of their depth.
A stern talking to from Klopp at half-time completely changed the game though as they were a different side after the interval with substitute Luiz Diaz changing the game.
Three goals in a 12 minute time period turned the game and booked the tickets to Paris.
Jurgen Klopp has now led his team to as many Champions League finals as Alex Ferguson. Not bad.
— The Tactical Times (@Tactical_Times) May 3, 2022
The defence looked shaky, the midfield was bullied and the attack struggled to link-up at any period with the side only having 66% passing accuracy.
Dani Alves, Roberto Carlos, Ashley Cole and Philipp Lahm each played in three Champions League finals in their career.
— Squawka (@Squawka) May 3, 2022
At 23 years old, Trent Alexander-Arnold has just qualified for his third. ????#UCL pic.twitter.com/MEEkHAeKJH
Goals from Fabinho, Luis Diaz and Sadio Mane changed the game in the second half with goals thanks to errors from goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli.
Fabinho was slipped in by Mo Salah and fired home from an unlikely angle but the ball went through Rulli’s legs.
Trent Alexander-Arnold planted a cross on Diaz’s head which the Argentine should have kept out and for the third he came charging out of his goal for no reason to make Mane take it round him for an open goal.
Jurgen Klopp becomes the first manager ever to reach the Champions League, League Cup and FA Cup finals all in a single season ???? pic.twitter.com/gtrxIiS5Tf
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 3, 2022
Remarkably the quadruple is still on for Liverpool and now they await their opposition in the Champions League final as with Manchester City edging Real Madrid 4-3 on aggregate going into the second leg.
A romantic weekend away in Paris awaits every red.
This side will go down as one of the greatest these set of supporters will ever set their eyes on.