{"id":1259407,"date":"2022-04-27T22:35:44","date_gmt":"2022-04-27T21:35:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1259407"},"modified":"2022-04-27T22:38:30","modified_gmt":"2022-04-27T21:38:30","slug":"thiago-liverpool-2-0-villarreal-fabinho-henderson-midfield-mastery-control","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/thiago-liverpool-2-0-villarreal-fabinho-henderson-midfield-mastery-control\/","title":{"rendered":"“It is perfect. It is complete control” – Thiago puts on a show as Liverpool dominate Villarreal in Champions League semi-finals"},"content":{"rendered":"

Thiago Alcantara led a Liverpool midfield masterclass as the Reds dominated and defeated Villarreal at Anfield.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The win puts Liverpool on the brink of the Champion League final for the first time since 2019.<\/p>\n

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Villarreal obviously approached the game defensively, but even when they tried to counter-attack they found the midfield control so suffocating they couldn’t get out. None of their players attempted more passes than goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli’s 38, while Raul Albiol completed the most with 26. They were penned back superbly by Thiago and the Reds.<\/p>\n

Thiago takes the lead, as he has lately with a string of masterful performances. He’s not dropped below 96% pass completion in any of the games, looking after the ball so superbly well.<\/p>\n

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  • Champions League outright odds<\/a><\/b><\/li>\n
  • Champions League tips page<\/a><\/b><\/li>\n
  • Liverpool’s chances of winning Premier League title<\/a><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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    He’s not just playing safe passes, though. He is actively leading the Liverpool attack with his control and mastery of the ball. For the first goal, even though it took place ages away from Thiago the nature of the build-up play focuses on one decisive and delicious flick pass.<\/p>\n

    As the Reds worked the ball out on the left, Thiago found himself out wide and pinned to the touchline by two markers. Rather than turn back and simply retained possession, he advanced the ball by slicing it with the outside of his foot between the two defenders. Without that pass from Thiago opening up the switch of play, the goal never happens. It was that important, he<\/em> was that important.<\/p>\n

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    Thiago's pass accuracy in his last three games for Liverpool: <\/p>\n

    \u25c9 96% vs. Man Utd
    \u25c9 98% vs. Everton
    \u25c9 96% vs. Villarreal <\/p>\n

    The pass master. ?#UCL<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/KtiuphtBJB<\/a><\/p>\n

    — Squawka (@Squawka) April 27, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n