Right, so it is now time to get down to the business end of the season. The UEFA Champions League semi-finals are around the corner. On one end we have Manchester City battling it out with Real Madrid. And, on the other, we have Liverpool who will be taking on Villarreal.
Let us talk about the second game because it signifies the true beauty of football.
Liverpool started the marquee event as one of the favorites. The winter window only made their case for a quadruple stronger and that dream will be reverberating all across Anfield on Wednesday. The Reds are only one point adrift of City in the Premier League and have won the Carabao Cup. They are also in the finals of the FA Cup and now, in the last four of the UCL. Jurgen Klopp’s men certainly do start as the favorites against their opponents but will be committing a grave sin, if they take them for granted.
Villarreal have defied all odds and have made it to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League. They have managed to upset Bayern Munich and Juventus in the knockout stages to reach Anfield for the first leg of the last four. Unai Emery and his men have won a lot of supporters and respect from all corners of the footballing world for their marvelous achievement. Also, Villarreal have done it while they have been battling hard for a European spot in La Liga.
The outline of the play looks very simple. With Liverpool playing at home, assume that they will dominate the possession and will create chances aplenty. Villarreal will look to beat them on the break. It will be a fascinating battle. The Reds will be looking to grip their opposition while their opponents will look to slip away like an eel.
Liverpool vs Villarreal – Team News
Liverpool
The hosts will only be without Roberto Firmino, who is out with an ankle injury. The rest of the squad is fully fit and ready to play. But, we can see some changes in the XI that took home all the spoils in the recently concluded Merseyside Derby.
Luis Diaz, Ibrahima Konate, and Jordan Henderson are likely to make it to the XI. Thiago will have a crucial role to play in tomorrow’s proceedings as well. The former Bayern Munich man showed his class against Manchester United last week. The frontline of Diaz-Mane-Salah will be a menace in the final third for Unai Emery’s backline.
Villarreal
Villarreal’s injury list is proving to be a troublesome one for Emery. Gerard Moreno and Francis Coquelin are doubtful features for Wednesday’s fixture. But, Moreno is expected in the XI, if he does regain his fitness. The same cannot be said for Coquelin though. It will be a race against time for the Frenchman.
Alberto Moreno is ruled out for this game as well. Their backline though does not seem to have many issues and have been a unit on fire, in Europe this season. Keep an eye out for Pau Torres. How well the Spaniard does could well determine the outcome of this game.
Liverpool vs Villarreal – Predicted Lineups
Liverpool Predicted Lineup (4-3-3): Allison, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Dijk, Robertson, Thiago, Fabinho, Henderson, Diaz, Mane, Salah
Villarreal Predicted Lineup (4-4-1-1): Rulli, Estupiñán, Torres, Albiol, Foyth, Pino, Capou, Parejo, Trigueros, Celso, Danjuma
Liverpool vs Villarreal – Key Players
Liverpool – Mohamed Salah
Salah has scored 30 goals this season for Jurgen Klopp and has netted eight times in the UCL. Without a doubt, he will have a say on the outcome of this first leg. Salah has won his side numerous games with moments of sheer brilliance, many times this season. And, he has scored 13 goals from 19 appearances at Anfield, this season, across all competitions. If Klopp’s men are to proceed to the finals, a win at home is absolutely critical. And for that, Salah will be their go-to man against a probable low-block.
Villarreal – Arnaut Danjuma
Danjuma is the leading goal-scorer for Villarreal this season. The 25-year-old has netted 10 times this season, from only 17 appearances. His pace will be of crucial essence in the limited number of chances that Villarreal will get to attack Allison in the opposite goal. That said, Klopp’s men will be on their way to an infamous UCL exit if they count him out.
Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Villarreal