An own goal and a Sadio Mane strike procured Liverpool a 2-0 triumph in their Champions League elimination round first-leg against Villarreal on Wednesday, putting Jurgen Klopp's side on course for their third European Cup last in five seasons.
After the dramatization of Tuesday's other elimination round, which saw Manchester City beat Real Madrid 4-3 at the Etihad, it was never going to be simple for this game to contend in the diversion stakes.
However, Liverpool helped to the point of building themselves out lead for Tuesday's return game in Spain where they will be certain of following through with off the task.
Villarreal defended in numbers in the first half to baffle the six-times European Cup champs, with Thiago Alcantara going nearest to breaking the gridlock with a deafening strike from distance that hit the post.
There were a few half-opportunities for Liverpool with Jordan Henderson boring into the side netting and Mohamed Salah drifting a work wide, while Mane saw a redirected exertion zip simply past the post.
However, generally Unai Emery's defense adapted well, with Pau Torres in order at the back and the focal midfield matching of Dani Parejo and Etienne Capoue defending the region before them.
Liverpool turned it up a bit after the break and minutes after Brazilian midfielder Fabinho had seen one exertion precluded for offside, Henderson's cross was avoided into his own net by Pervis Estupinan to break Villarreal's obstruction.
Ready to articulate their thoughts with the stop broken, Mohamed Salah strung a brilliant pass through for Mane to put the game past the guests 133 seconds after the fact.
Liverpool's squeezing was a lot for the Spaniards on occasion and they had opportunities to make the outcome more far reaching.
Andy Robertson had a fine exertion precluded for offside in the wake of associating with a broad cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold, while Virgil van Dijk took a shot at a long-range thunderclap which almost thumped Villarreal keeper Geronimo Rulli off his feet.
Anfield showed its appreciation at the last whistle yet in truth this was a game that felt more like a group stage match than a last-four experience.
"They are an exceptionally coordinated group and we realized they would make it troublesome. It was simply critical that we continued onward and accepted that we would ultimately separate them. We did that with two great goals," said Henderson.
"Larger part of the game, our counter-press was great. It made it challenging for them. Be that as it may, the game is as yet alive and it will be extreme in Villarreal."
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