Wow. What a performance. To be honest, I was expecting things to be much more difficult than they were. I was surprised to see Villarreal play two up top, I thought they would have two walls of five and we would be in for a very long night of trying to break them down. I've got to say though, we were just fantastic from the first whistle. We wanted it much more than they did, fought for every ball, won every second ball, won every 50-50, played some great stuff. Thoroughly deserved.
I've been critical of our league campaign this season and I still believe we could be a lot further up the table and some of our results/performances have been dire at times, but to reach two cup finals in your first year is some achievement so well done Jürgen and the lads - especially when you consider the injury crisis we have had to deal with all season too.
The atmosphere was yet again brilliant last night and there seems to be a real buzz around the place again. Jürgen is taking us places. I'm just a F***ing made up red today. It feels like WE'RE F***ing BACK.
Mignolet - Had very little to do but made 2 or 3 important stops. 7/10
Clyne - Same old same old from clyney. Solid defensively but sometimes out of ideas when going forward. Did his job. 7/10.
Lovren - on current form the best CB in the league. He has come on leaps and bounds under Jürgen. Solid last night and made 3-4 crucial tackles, one in particular on the half way line in the first half, shortly before milner slipped in lallana who missed a sitter! 8/10
Toure - Defended well throughout. Organised throughout. 7/10.
Moreno - Out of position a couple of times again. Made a couple of rash tackles too. Perhaps could have given a penalty away which would have left us in the sh*t. That said he was good going forward, won some tackles, linked up well at times. There is a player in him somewhere but sometimes his inexperience just shows. 6/10.
Milner - Thought it was a good display from James. A captains display. Led by example and never stopped running. 7/10
Can - Completely bossed the midfield in the first half and strolled the second half. Great to have him back. 8/10.
Coutinho - Thought our magician played well, always moving and looking to get on the ball. We are always a threat with him about. 8/10.
Firmino - My motm. He was everywhere. Worked his bollocks off, linked up well, showed off his quality with some touches/passes and that turn in the second half was just football porn. 9/10.
Lallana - Again worked his bollocks off and it was nice to see him get on the score sheet. 8/10
Sturridge - I was desperate for him to start pre match and he showed yet again why he needs to play in these big games. Great goal to make it 2-0. He missed a couple of good chances but i'll forgive him - its better than he was in the right place at the right time to take those chances rather than being nowhere to be seen. We are always better going forward and much more of a threat with him on the pitch. 8/10.
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