CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: LIVERPOOL MAKES IT THREE FINALS IN FIVE YEARS DESPITE VILLARREAL COMEBACK

Spanish Villarreal failed to secure a final spot in the UEFA Champions League as goals from Fabinho, Lius Diaz and Senegal’s Sadio Mane saw Liverpool reach final third time in five years.

Villarreal had sparked hopes of a remarkable turnaround in the return leg at the Estadio de la Ceramica with Boulaye Dia scoring in the third minute and Francis Coquelin header to level score 2-2 having Liverpool won the first leg with two goals advantage.

Jurgen Klopp realising the need for urgency in his approach to the match introduced Diaz for Diogo Jota, it quickened the Red hunger and the visitors scored three goals in twelve minutes to weaken the Yellow Marine.

Though, the stirring comeback from Unai Emery’s side in the early half of match that saw his team obviously make a big scare against Liverpool. But Fabinho’s got it right, smashing it through Rulli’s legs with Daiz 67 minute and Mane’s 74 minute goal to put the Reds up in the final with a 3-2 on aggregate.

Liverpool will await the winner of Red Madrid and Manchester City at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday, with City leading 4-3 from the leg in Manchester.