Liverpool win puts Celtic in automatic Champions League driving seat

Liverpool did Celtic a huge favour in the Champions League semi-finals by beating Villarreal 2-0 at Anfield.

The men in yellow still have a puncher's chance when they take the Reds to the Estadio de la Ceramica but Jurgen Klopp's side look good to make the final and wipe out a nightmare scenario for whoever is crowned Scottish champions in the process.

Ange Postecoglou and his side are in the driving seat in the Scottish Premiership title race with a six point advantage and an enormous goal difference chasm ensuring they're likely to win the league even if rivals Rangers make up the deficit, though stranger things have happened in Scottish football.

It leaves them on course for a jackpot of £40m if they enter UEFA's top table at the group stage but there's one thing they need to happen to ensure their reservation isn't cancelled – the Champions League winner this term must also qualify for the competition next season through the league.

In the semi-finals only Villarreal remain a threat in that regard as they travelled to Anfield and with the teams locked at 0-0 going in at the break it looked like the Spaniards were on course for a favourable result.

But when Jordan Henderson's deflected cross bamboozled keeper Geronimo Rulli the home side led.

And just two minutes and 11 seconds later Sadio Mane was set free in the area to poke under the Argentine and leave the La Liga side on the brink.

That's how the first leg finished though Celtic fan Andy Robertson thought he'd increased the advantage as he smashed home on the half-volley only to be ruled offside.