Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insists “nothing has happened yet” despite a 2-0 UEFA Champions League semi-final win over Villarreal.

It was a result which has given them a significant advantage for next week’s second leg in Spain.

The scoreline did not reflect the pattern of the game, in which Klopp’s side dominated from the first minute to the last.

Even then, it was a more comfortable tie than they could have expected.

But after a goalless first half, in which the Reds attempted 12 shots, the match was won in 133 seconds.

Jordan Henderson’s cross deflected in for a Pervis Estupinan own goal and was quickly followed by Sadio Mane’s 20th strike of the campaign.

Liverpool have now won nine matches in the Champions League this season, a club record for a single campaign.

In doing so, they equalled the landmark of 43 victories in a season set in 2019/2020.

But Klopp will not allow complacency to creep in as they chase an unprecedented quadruple.

“It is a dangerous scoreline. How much work is left to do? The full work is still to do. Nothing has happened yet,” he said. “To be 2-0 at half-time you have to be 100 per cent in the right mood and play the second half like we played the first half.”

He added, “We know the other game will be a tricky atmosphere for us. These (Villarreal) players saw that tonight, this coach, they fight for it with all they have. And what I like is that we also fight with all we have. It’s always the same.

Klopp admitted the possibility that Villareal could overturn the first-leg deficit and beat Liverpool to qualify for the Champions League final. 

“That’s how the competition is. But everyone could see we fought with all we have. We played a really good game, now in six days we play again and we have to make sure we are ready,” he noted. “We are 2-0 up and that’s better than before the game. But we know we’re not through. So, (we will) keep going, no problem.”

(NAN)