"The best game we’d played in the season" - Pep Lijnders on the 2021-22 campaign

Liverpool assistant boss Pep Lijnders has named the fixture from the 2021-22 campaign where the Reds played at their absolute best.

Back in April/May, Liverpool came up against Villarreal in the Champions League semi-finals.

The first leg was played at Anfield and the Reds played very well. Jurgen Klopp's side secured a 2-0 victory over Villarreal.

Lijnders believes that the aforementioned performance was Liverpool's best for the 2021-22 season.

"The first leg of the Champions League semi-final became the best game we’d played in the season so far. Not the highest score, or the biggest impact but we were always calm and protected," he said, as quoted by the club's official website and AW's Twitter account.

"It showed we understood the task. The fluidity and intensity was madness. There was a spell of three or four minutes at 13 minutes in, that shows this so well. The hardest thing in football is making a good team look weaker than they actually are.

"We avoided set-pieces and found the outside player early time after time. We stopped counter-attacks and had bodies in the box with real consistency. I would say that is controlling a game by being dominant.

"(Jordan) Hendo’s deflected cross opened the scoring in the second half after he made the run on the outside. Then Mo (Salah) slid in Sadio (Mane) for 2-0 two minutes later. Anfield went nuts.

"I couldn’t think for a second after the crowd roared Allez, Allez, Allez after Mane’s goal. It was a sound of power, real power. So, 2-0, half-time and in six days we would have the possibility to reach the final in Paris."

Anfield Watch Verdict

We can see where Lijnders is coming from. Liverpool were very good all over the pitch against Villarreal during the first leg.

The Reds went on to secure a 5-2 aggregate victory over the La Liga side. However, as we all know, Liverpool lost the final 1-0 to Real Madrid in Paris.

It was such a shame to see Klopp's team fall short against Los Blancos. It is not everyday you get to see your team play in a Champions League final.

So, you want to see your club make the most of it. But, it wasn't meant to be for Liverpool.