Liverpool’s third Champions League semi-final beneath Jurgen Klopp now awaits as Anfield performs host to Villarreal, a membership that’s no stranger to the Reds.
Liverpool vs. Villarreal
Champions League Semi-Remaining First Leg | Anfield
Wednesday, April 27, 2022 | 8pm (BST)
What a run of current outcomes Liverpool have had, beginning with securing a spot within the FA Cup closing earlier than victories over each Man United and Everton.
It’s been exhilarating and it doesn’t cease there as one other night time beneath the Anfield lights awaits on the large stage, with an opportunity to take a bonus to Spain for the second leg subsequent week.
Right here’s all you’ll want to know forward of Wednesday’s kickoff.
1. The Yellow Submarine
The guests arrive on Merseyside recent off the again of an eight-day break, a direct distinction to Liverpool who could have performed twice in that point.
The pause in Villarreal’s calendar has allowed for higher time to arrange for Liverpool after a five-game unbeaten run that features the 2-1 win on mixture over Bayern Munich within the final spherical.
Unai Emery has masterminded their run to the semi-finals for less than the second time within the membership’s historical past and Liverpool is aware of all too effectively how the Villarreal boss operates on the large stage.
He was, after all, supervisor of Sevilla when the 2 groups met within the 2016 Europa League closing and whereas that was an evening of disappointment, it additionally proved a catalyst for Klopp’s aspect.
2. A repeat of 2016?
Lots has modified since these groups final met in 2016 however you possibly can anticipate one factor will stay the identical, the fervour from the Liverpool followers.
It was an exhilarating 3-0 win on this explicit Europa League semi-final second leg conflict in opposition to Villarreal however the fervour earlier than, throughout and after the match is what stands the check of time.
Followers lined the streets to welcome Klopp’s Reds to Anfield and did so in each attainable manner.
We’re unsure any scaffolding stays to recreate the scenes on Wednesday however you by no means know, as the place there’s a will there’s a manner and Liverpool followers at all times relish a problem!
3. Customer XI
Emery is to be with out former Crimson Alberto Moreno following his ACL damage in March, and Gerard Moreno can be set to overlook out as a result of a hamstring damage.
The ahead has scored 13 objectives in 26 video games for the Spanish aspect this season and isn’t to make the journey to Anfield after lacking coaching on Tuesday, however studies recommend he may very well be again for the second leg.
Yeremi Pino additionally missed out on their session on Tuesday and may very well be out of rivalry, requiring Emery to shuffle his pack.
Doable Villarreal XI: Rulli; Foyth, Albiol, Torres, Estupinan; Parejo, Coquelin, Capoue; Lo Celso; Chukwueze, Danjuma
4. Firmino replace
The Merseyside derby once more got here too quickly for Roberto Firmino because of his foot damage and the No. 9 is once more to overlook out on Wednesday.
“I don’t assume [he is ready] but,” Klopp advised the membership’s web site. “He’s working exterior and that’s good, clearly, however I’m not certain.”
It’s progress and his return doesn’t seem too far-off, and, fortunately, he stays the only real Crimson within the therapy room with nothing else for the supervisor to report.
Kostas Tsimikas was absent from coaching on Tuesday however might nonetheless have a component to play.
Both manner, the luxurious of alternative stays for Klopp as he additionally seems to call a 12-man bench, which means he is not going to have to depart out too many gamers from the squad altogether.
5. Predicting the Reds XI
There are a number of positions you could anticipate adjustments in for this one however Klopp does get pleasure from preserving us on our toes.
One participant you’d anticipate to see within the XI is Ibrahima Konate after Joel Matip made two consecutive begins, whereas Luis Diaz may very well be drafted in to sit down alongside Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.
In midfield, Jordan Henderson shall be hoping to get again within the aspect after solely that includes for 9 minutes in opposition to Everton, on the seemingly price of Naby Keita.
Predicted Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Thiago; Salah, Diaz, Mane
6. ‘The beginning of one thing particular’
After we look again to that Europa League closing in 2016 it actually stays a what if second within the early days of Klopp’s tenure.
Emery was the one to mastermind Liverpool’s downfall that night time and whereas it left Henderson stewing, it in the end proved the catalyst for what we now have gone on to see:
“The gaffer was a bit totally different to what you’ll anticipate, he had all people downstairs collectively within the bar space and we simply form of spent the night time collectively.
“I felt he knew that this was the start and the beginning of one thing particular to return.
“As a participant, it’s very tough to assume that then, once you simply misplaced a closing, however he was very totally different to what I’d ever seen earlier than.
“That night time at all times stands out in my thoughts, he form of knew what was coming within the subsequent few years and I really feel as if he’s produced that.
“He’s confirmed that was the start of one thing particular.”
One thing particular is once more brewing, greatness is earlier than us and historical past beckons.
7. Do you know?
Ibrahima Konate might change into the primary Liverpool defender in historical past to attain in three successive European video games.
The centre-back scored the opener in each legs in opposition to Benfica, each headed objectives, and a probable starter for Klopp, you possibly can’t wager in opposition to him doing it once more.
Within the dwelling leg in opposition to Benfica earlier this month, he turned solely the fourth Reds participant ever to internet his opening two objectives for the membership in European competitors.
Fairly spectacular!
8. Time to reply Anfield name
In his pre-match press convention, Klopp spoke of his want to see Anfield at is greatest as he urged followers to be “on prime of their recreation”:
“We all know that after we go to Villarreal, whichever outcome we get tomorrow night time, it will likely be an extremely emotional environment there.
“And that’s what we now have to create tomorrow night time as effectively. That’s how it’s.
“We’ve got to ensure that we actually are fully on prime of our recreation, all people within the stadium.
“Our supporters are good supporters, they know and so they watch soccer, they know that Villarreal is actually robust.
“However there are moments the place we are going to undergo tomorrow night time, positively, I do know that now already.
“That’s what we now have to be prepared for. There is no such thing as a must get nervous or no matter, that’s how it’s.
“However we will make them undergo as effectively and that’s what we now have to do, all collectively.”
9. A well-known face within the center
Szymon Marciniak (Poland) will take cost of Liverpool for the third time this season, following on from the victories earlier within the competitors at dwelling to AC Milan and away at Inter.
Maybe we might go for the much less dramatic possibility on the dimensions of these two video games!
He additionally refereed Villarreal’s 3-0 win at Juventus within the spherical of 16 final month.
10. Easy methods to watch
Liverpool vs. Villarreal is stay on BT Sport 2 for these of you within the UK, with protection ranging from 7pm (BST) forward of the 8pm begin.
As ever, if you wish to comply with the sport with an unabashedly Liverpool bias then This Is Anfield’s stay weblog is the place to be, with Dan Clubbe to take you thru the build-up and the 90 minutes!
