Liverpool's Adrián López Leaves Anfield Recovery Tough Next Week-Europa League

This time Liverpool took the stoppage time sucker-punch. The Europa League semi-final had been Borussia Dortmund in reverse — devoid of the drama, incident and sense of occasion that made for that extraordinary quarter-final — when Villarreal conjured a similarity that Jürgen Klopp could have done without.

Adrián López’s 92nd-minute winner leaves Liverpool in need of another Anfield recovery next week.

“We were lucky enough to score,” said Marcelino, the Villarreal coach. “But it was not an unfair result.”

Klopp viewed it through a different lens. His team had produced a resolute, disciplined and patient European away display to remain on course for the final in Basel, Europa League success and qualification for the Champions League but it was undermined by one disorganised moment and precise counter-attack.

In injury time, with Liverpool on the front foot, Adam Lallana lost possession and Villarreal broke through their stylish captain, Bruno Soriano. The midfielder swept a perfect pass over the exposed Kolo Touré to Denis Suárez, the former Manchester City academy prospect cut in behind and squared across Simon Mignolet for the substitute López to convert into an unguarded net.

In the 91st minute against Dortmund it was Dejan Lovren who transformed the tie.

The 92nd minute did not transform the semi-final, Anfield was always likely to be a decisive factor, but it has made Liverpool’s task more complicated than it needed to be. — Agencies