Former Liverpool striker, Peter Crouch, believes Villareal could not cope with the Red’s attacking display in Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final first leg at Anfield.
Liverpool claimed a 2-0 first leg win against Unai Emery’s side after a frustrating goalless first half.
Pervis Estupinan scored an own goal in the 53rd minute after knocking in Jordan Henderson cross.
And just two minutes after the opening goal, Sadio Mane made it 2-0 after running on to a Mohamed Salah pass.
Speaking to BT Sport after the game, Crouch highlighted the pressure the Yellow Submarines were on during the game and claimed that giving the ball to Chukwueze or Danjuma was their only escape route.
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“I just felt they had to try something different,” Crouch told BT Sport.
“They were playing into Liverpool’s hands completely.
“They were actually getting some of the best chances from actually winning the ball back when Villarreal had possession.
“They had to play in Danjuma or Chukwueze down the sides to try to get themselves a breather, get themselves up.
“They literally could not breathe,they could not get any respite, they were on top of them every time they had the ball.”
Villarreal will host Liverpool in the second leg next week Tuesday at the Estadio de la Ceramica.
The UEFA Europa League champions are aiming for a first ever Champions League appearance and must over the 2-0 first leg deficit to achieve the feat.
For the Reds they are targeting a third Champions League appearance in the last five season.
Jurgen Klopp’s side are still in the hunt for a quadruple this season, a feat never achieved in English football.
They already have the League Cup in the bag and are in the FA Cup final where they will face Chelsea.
And in the Premier League, they are just one point behind Manchester City.
The post UCL: ‘Villarreal Couldn’t Cope With Liverpool‘s Attack’ —Crouch appeared first on Cornerstone News Nigeria.
