Villarreal vs Liverpool Preview – Prediction, team news, line-ups

Liverpool head to La Ceramica to meet Villarreal in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final tie looking to finish what they started at Anfield last week.

Pervis Estupinan’s own goal and Sadio Mane’s second-half strike fired the Reds to a comfortable 2-0 first-leg win.

Jurgen Klopp’s men have one foot in what would be their third Champions League showpiece appearance in five years.

Following a 1-0 victory at Newcastle United last weekend, Liverpool will take the field with confidence sky-rocketing, as they they are now unbeaten in 12 games in all competitions (W10, D2).

According to Klopp, the Premier League giants will be out to win and not just defend a two-goal cushion in the province of Castellon.

“It’s only half-time. We have to go there and try to win, knowing they (Villarreal) will go with all they have,” the German said, as relayed by the Daily Mail.

“Maturity and experience are important but not the only decisive thing. 

“Everything that we are is required tomorrow night.”

Seeking their first-ever appearance in the Champions League final, Villarreal have a Herculean task on their plate. 

But a 2-1 loss away to La Liga relegation strugglers Deportivo Alaves at the weekend was not ideal preparation for this fixture. 

Match Preview

Villarreal

Villarreal’s two previous forays into the Champions League knock-out stages have been curtailed by Premier League sides, while they are winless in all 13 meetings with English clubs in the competition proper.

Six consecutive Champions League defeats to English teams suggest the Yellow Submarine could face another catastrophe on Tuesday, though they still have a silver lining here.

Villarreal have come out victorious in two of their three two-legged UEFA ties versus Premier League outfits and are unbeaten in eight of their ten home European matches against English visitors (W4, D4). 

Liverpool

Liverpool boast a formidable away record in Europe’s elite competition, having won all five Champions League games on the road this term, including two-goal margin triumphs at Inter Milan and Benfica in the two previous knock-out rounds.

History backs the Merseyside powerhouse to reach the final as they have triumphed in each of their eight previous UEFA competition ties when they have won the first at Anfield 2-0. 

However, the Reds have seen their two previous Champions League knock-out campaigns ended by Spanish clubs, while they have won just five of their last 17 European games against La Liga sides (D3, L9). 

Team News

Ex-Liverpool left-back Alberto Moreno and quicksilver winger Yeremi Pino are unavailable for selection to injury. 

Villarreal are still sweating over Arnaut Danjuma, who missed out on their trip to Alaves at the weekend through a minor muscle problem. 

The same goes for a marquee forward Gerard Moreno, who was absent from the first leg at Anfield due to a muscle issue.

As for Liverpool, Robert Firmino’s foot injury will sideline the Brazilian for this trip, while Divock Origi could join him in the treatment room.

Villarreal Potential Starting XI

(4-3-1-2): Geronimo Rulli; Juan Foyth, Raul Albiol, Pau Torres, Pervis Estupinan; Etienne Capoue, Francis Coquelin, Dani Parejo; Giovanni Lo Celso; Samuel Chukwueze, Boulaye Dia.

Liverpool Potential Starting XI

(4-3-3): Alisson; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson; Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago Alcantara; Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Luis Diaz. 

Villarreal vs Liverpool Prediction

Liverpool utterly outclassed Villarreal at Anfield, as witnessed by the Spaniard’s measly one attempt on goal. 

We back the Reds to seal another triumph, especially with the Yellow Submarine forced to move the bodies forward in search of two goals. 

Villarreal 1-3 Liverpool