Liverpool see off Villarreal for another ‘special final’

VILA-REAL, Spain: Jurgen Klopp said reaching a third Champions League final in five years with Liverpool felt just as special as the first after his team saw off a spirited fightback from Villarreal on Tuesday to keep their quadruple hopes alive.

The visitors scored three times in 12 minutes to secure a 3-2 win on the night and a 5-2 victory on aggregate.

“It feels like the first final because it’s always so special – it’s the best club competition in the world,” Klopp said.

“Respect to Villarreal. Wonderful stadium and what they are doing here is incredible. It feels so special because it was so difficult for us. It was massive from the boys.

“Before the game I said I’d like to read the headlines that the mentality monsters were in town. I didn’t want us to defend the result but go for the win, and the second half was like this.”