Henderson admits their first goal against Villarreal was a 'bit lucky'

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson admitted their first goal was a 'bit lucky' as he warned their trip to Villarreal will be tough.

The Reds had a dream start to their Champions League semi final as they dominated their first leg at Anfield, completely shutting the Spanish side out of the game.

The first half proved frustrating for Jurgen Klopp's side as they failed to find a way through Villarreal's yellow wall but Henderson proved pivotal as his 53rd-minute cross into the box looked to break the deadlock, before Sadio Mane added a second just two minutes later.

The skipper drove forward down the right flank and his delivery was deflected in off Villarreal defender Pervis Estupinan, beating goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli at his near post.

Henderson claimed Liverpool knew the visitors would be a stubborn side to get past but insisted the Reds believed they could eventually break them down.

'They are a very organised team and we knew they would make it difficult,' he told BT Sport following the game.

'It was just important that we kept going and believe that we would eventually break them down. We did that with two good goals.'

Following the game, the 30-year-old discovered his effort went down as an own goal and admitted it was a 'bit lucky'.

'Did it? I though it went straight in,' he joked.

'First one was a bit lucky,' he added. 'Good build up but a bit lucky, in off the defender and keeper I think. But you need a bit of luck when a team plays with a low block.

'We got that and it lifted the crowd. Majority of the game, the counter-press was really good. It made it difficult for them. But the game is still alive and it will be tough in Villarreal.'

Left back Andrew Robertson admitted the Reds still have work to do as they look to seal their place in Paris on their trip to Villarreal but insisted the side were happy with their performance.

'We had a few chances in the first half, trying to break them down,' he said.

'We had a bit of momentum after the first goal and the noise in here was incredible. It took us to the second one.

'We would have liked one more but a clean sheet and two goals, we can't argue with that.

'It is the semi-final of the Champions League. If you can't run around for 90 minutes in this kind of game, when will you.

'Our intensity has been high last couple of games. We have had a hectic schedule but we are enjoying it. There is still work to do but we are happy.'

Liverpool take a two-goal advantage into the second leg as they look to book their spot in the final next Tuesday.