Speaking in light of Liverpool‘s triumph over Villarreal, Jurgen Klopp has revealed what he told his Reds troops at the break.
The Merseyside giants headed into Thursday evening’s Europa League semi-final with a one-goal deficit, having fallen to the Yellow Submarine at El Madrigal in the first leg.
While Adrian Lopez’s goal gave Villarreal a late winner in the opening semi-final, their lead was short-lived as a Bruno own goal levelled the pair after just seven minutes at Anfield.
Ultimately, Liverpool ran out 3-0 winners following second-half strikes from Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana, but the tie was in the balance for much of the first half, as Villarreal had a few opportunities to bag a valuable away goal before the break.
Speaking to journalists after the match—as per The Guardian—Klopp has revealed what he urged his troops to do during the second half, and the advice he gave his team.
“At half time I told the players to keep going with the emotional football but maybe use their brains a bit more,” the German coach began. “I wanted my players to be both emotional and smart, if that makes any sense, and they were.”
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Liverpool advance to face serial Europa League winners Sevilla in the final, with the two sides having contested seven finals in the competition to date, with a 100 percent success rate.