Match Preview: Liverpool are no just three good performances away from ending the season on a high and not only has the chance to win some sliverware but make their way into the Champions League places by winning the Europa League. It will be a massive task however as Villarreal are one of the most consistent team in Spain outside top 3. Villarreal who are already well placed to qualify for Champions League next season will be looking to take positive result back to anfield.
Adrian Lopez late injury time winner was the difference between the two sides as Villarreal take a narrow 1-0 win to Anfield while Liverpool has to produce another massive night at anfield in the 2nd leg next Thursday.
Jurgen Klopp side kept Villarreal in check for most part of the game in the first leg of Europa League semifinal this Thursday night, 28th April. Both teams set themselves up for counter attacking football which resulted in a boring 0-0 first half. However a late injury time goal by Adrian Lopez made it 1-0 for home side with pretty much the final move of the game.
yellow submarine as they are known in Spain, Villarreal has a solid squad with some very technically gifted players like Denis Suarez who will be they key in attacking role while Cedric Bakambu (22 goals in all competitions) is one played Liverpool need to mark out of the game if they were to qualify. Villarreal’s real strength is their water tight defense with Victor Ruiz at the heart of the action and over the course of La Liga season they have only conceded 31 goals so far only Barcelona and Atletico has conceded less.
Having said that Spanish side do tend to bottle it when it really matters. They have reached the Champions League semifinal once before when Arsenal defeated them on aggregate while Another semifinal in Europa League followed back in 2010/11 season where they lost against FC Porto. Liverpool on the other hand rarely miss out once they reach later stages.
Team News & Lineups: Jurgen Klopp is likely to keep the winning formula with Sturridge playing upfron alogside trio of attacking roles in Firmino, Coutinho and Adam Lallana while James Milner and Lucas set to start in central midfield. This is how I expect both teams to lineup on Thursday night.
Match Predictions: Liverpool need to produce another superb performances over two legs to breakdown Villarreal who are one of the most technically strong sides in spain. A decent result away from home will set up Liverpool’s home game at Anfield nicely and thats what I expect to happen with a score draw at El Madrigal and a norrow win at Anfield will get them through to yet another European final.
After producing a magical night at Anfield Liverpool took on Villarreal in the 2016 Europa League semifinal first leg at El Madrigal and it turned out to be a snooze fest as both teams pretty much cancel each other out for best part of first hour. Villarreal had more possession and had couple of half chances. The game kept similar pattern in second half as both teams looked to be happy with a 0-0 draw but a late goal in injury time by Adrian Lopez ended what could have been a good result for Liverpool. See More
