Jurgen Klopp opens up on Thiago's initial Liverpool struggles with brutal putdown

Liverpool got "bit lucky" in finding an opening goal against Villarreal following a resolute defensive first-half from Unai Emery's side. The Reds found a breakthrough early in the second period after Henderson's cross deflected off defender Pervis Estupinan to bamboozle Geronimo Rulli - with Sadio Mane prodding home a second just two minutes later.

Liverpool took control of their Champions League semi-final by producing a dominant performance to beat Villarreal 2-0 in the first leg at Anfield.Villarreal came with a game plan to frustrate Jurgen Klopp’s side and it worked for 45 minutes, with Thiago Alcantara’s long-range strike against the post the closest they came. But the home team could not be kept out for long, with Pervis Estupinan’s unlucky own goal and Sadio Mane’s stabbed finish coming inside two second-half minutes to ease any nerves.Liverpool maintained a firm grip on the game, with Villarreal failing to trouble Alisson with a single shot on target, but they could not add any further gloss to the win. However, they will head to Spain next week confident of getting the job done and reaching next month’s final.

Jurgen Klopp is at the top of his game, with his Liverpool team flying high in the league and in Europe.The maverick manager will face up against Unai Emery's Villarreal tonight, April 27, in the hunt for an incredible quadruple, never done before in the English game.The Liverpool manager said ahead of the tie: "It is absolutely special to be a part of the semi-final, it's crazy. It's a massive game.

Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool has a bright yellow obstacle in their way. Unai Emery's Villarreal have continued their stunning run in Europe, reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League only one season after stunning Manchester United in the final of the Europa League.

Premier League striker Charlie Austin has revealed that he thinks that Conor Gallagher could replace Jordan Henderson at Liverpool.The midfielder has been impressive out on loan at Crystal Palace from Chelsea, being central in their promising campaign under Patrick Vieira this season. The 22-year-old has eight goals and three assists to his name in 29 league appearances, whilst also being key in the Eagles’ progression into the semi-final of the FA Cup.And QPR striker Austin believes that Gallagher has demonstrated that he is capable of playing week in, week out for a top-six side.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp sparked laughter in his Champions League pre-match press conference when he pulled off his best Scouse accent.Klopp showed off what he's learned during his seven years on Merseyside as he entered for media duties ahead of the semi-final first leg against Villarreal. "Hi guys, got Jordan Henderson the captain to come after Jurgen," the Reds press officer explained, prompting Klopp to mimic him and repeat "Jurgen".The German manager chuckled with the rest of the room with one person telling him "that was quite good". He replied with a smile on his face: "Yeah, I'm getting there."After composing himself, Klopp spoke about the magnitude of the occasion at Anfield on Wednesday (April 27) night, and also showed respect to their La Liga opponents.He said: "It is absolutely special to be part of the semi-final, it’s crazy.

Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara wanted to join Manchester United before Jurgen Klopp's side expressed an interest, according to Rio Ferdinand.Thiago has been in wonderful form for the Quadruple chasing side of late. The Spanish maestro recorded more successful passes than Everton’s entire team during the Reds' dominant 2-0 victory in the Merseyside derby.These impressive passing statistics suggests the former Bayern Munich ace has finally found his magical feet, after an injury-ridden start to life at the club.

Former Manchester United goalkeeping coach Eric Steele has compared Erik ten Hag's impending arrival at Old Trafford to that of Jurgen Klopp's at Liverpool in 2015.

Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp took another step towards a history-making quadruple by battling past Everton on Sunday - but the Reds' current crop of superstars are a world away from the misfiring flops that the German inherited back in 2015.The ex-Borussia Dortmund coach arrived at Anfield with a reputation as one of the most exciting coaches in Europe. But Liverpool themselves were in dire straights.

Jurgen Klopp was pranked after Liverpool's Merseyside derby win over Everton - but even that couldn't wipe the smile off his face.The German headed into his post-match press conference on cloud nine having watched his Reds side overcome a battling Toffees display at Anfield. As per the Liverpool Echo, he arrived to face the media with luggage in tow.

Jamie Carragher and Sky Sports' coverage of Sunday's Merseyside derby. The former Everton defender, 50, claimed that he had to switch the commentary due to the "bias" towards Liverpool during the Reds’ 2-0 win over his former club.

Jurgen Klopp has been a key pillar of their success over the course of the German's reign as manager.Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Sadio Mane have all been signed by Klopp and starred as the Reds won the Champions League and Premier League in successive seasons. But while these players are now household names, there are several superstars who Liverpool have missed out on.These botched signings are seen through the Reds' time in the Premier League, missing out on players at the start and at the peak of their careers.

Liverpool’s best finisher after he helped fire the quad-chasing Reds back to just a point behind Manchester City.While Everton boss Frank Lampard was left raging at match referee Stuart Attwell for not giving the Toffees a penalty when Joel Matip tangled with Anthony Gordon as the Toffees dropped into the bottom three.Kop boss Klopp turned to Origi on the hour mark and within two minutes he played a part in the opener, before heading in the second late on as the Reds kept their Premier League title hopes alive.Klopp said: “He is a legend on and off the pitch. He is a fantastic footballer for me, and I know it sounds ridiculous as I don’t line him up often, he is a world-class striker.“He is our best finisher, definitely, he always was and everybody would say the same when you see him do these kind of things in training, then you see the quality of the squad and other players and it’s really hard I imagine (for him).Do you think Divock Origi is a world class finisher? Let us know in the comments section below“Everybody loves Div and rightly so.

Jurgen Klopp's comments on his Liverpool fringe players show the level of teamwork pulsing through the club and how different life is at Manchester United. For Erik ten Hag, the job he has just taken on might take a lot more time than the one that the German has done at Anfield.

Graeme Souness has criticised Trent Alexander-Arnold for what he thought to be a poor display in Liverpool’s win over Everton. The Reds beat Frank Lampard’s men 2-0 at Anfield and even though they managed to earn three points, the Scot laid into the defender for his display.Souness said on Sky Sports: "I thought Trent had a stinker in the first half and [Anthony] Gordon caused him some problems.

Daily Star Sport takes a look at what Jurgen Klopp got right and wrong as Liverpool's title hopes remain intact...What Klopp got wrong...Passion and pride may be a dying trade in football, as the influence of money has taken something away from the game, but Klopp's side still possess an old fashioned approach. You can see how much his team cares, and especially Trent Alexander-Arnold who bleeds Liverpool.But although emotions are exactly what you want to see in a derby, it did almost cost Liverpool.

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel admits the club are way too far behind the big two at the top of the Premier League.Yet, at the same time, the Blues boss insists there is no disgrace in their failure to close the gap to the summit when Manchester City and Liverpool have streaked clear of the rest of the pack.Tuchel may have blown his lid over poor displays more times this month than in the previous 12 put together but he remains adamant his players have let nobody down over the whole 2021-22 campaign even though they have not been able to build too much on last season's Champions League success.Chelsea have not come close to matching pre-season expectations that, having won the European Cup last May, they would be authentic title challengers in a three-horse scrap for domestic glory. However, despite his underachievers coming into the weekend a staggering 15 points behind the required pace to be Premier League champions, Tuchel this time declined to stick the boot in.Quizzed if Chelsea should be closer to Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp ’s unstoppable outfits, the German said: “There is room for improvement.

Gary Neville labelled Manchester United a "pub team" after his fellow pundit Jamie Carragher poked fun following Thiago Alcantara's performance.

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker has sent a heartwarming message to Cristiano Ronaldo following the tragic death of his newborn son.

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher believes his previous sides “never stooped” as low as Manchester United ’s current level. The Red Devils suffered another painful humiliation at the hands of Jurgen Klopp’s side as a Mohamed Salah brace, coupled with goals from Luis Diaz and Sadio Mane secured a dominant 4-0 victory for the Merseysiders.

Pep Guardiola has told his Manchester City aces that they need to win six in a row to take a fourth Premier League title in five years - and anything less will hand it to Liverpool. The Blues reclaimed top spot by beating Brighton 3-0, just 24 hours after Liverpool's 4-0 hammering of Manchester United had seen them leapfrog into top spot.