After that humiliating defeat against Swansea City at Liberty Stadium last weekend, Liverpool will be looking to bounce back to their previous form as the side will welcome the yellow submarine Villarreal for the second leg of the Europa League’s semi-final.
The first leg was a bit cagey as both the sides were unable to find the net, but in the dying minutes of the game, Adrian Lopez found the back of the net as Liverpool’s defence was exposed. The Spanish side will be coming with full of enthusiasm and will be trying everything to replicate the result.
Liverpool, on the other hand, needs to work on their defending as their main man Sakho will be missing out following the ban he is serving. A recent loss to the Swans might have demoralized the side, but they need to keep their heads held high if they want to get past the hurdle.
Looking at both the clubs’ recent form, it hard to separate both the sides as Liverpool have won 3 of their last 6 games and have lost 2. Similarly, the yellow submarines have also won 3 of their last 6 games and have lost twice.
Liverpool vs Villarreal Team News-
The major boost of the red side is, Emre Can has made a quick recovery from an ankle injury that was expected to end his season, and could start for Liverpool against Villarreal.
Henderson, Ings and Origi are still out for the game, while Mamadou Sakho suspension won’t allow the Frenchman to play the game.
Furthermore, Villarreal has no such injury issue to show for.
Predicted Lineup-
Liverpool-
Mignolet
Clyne; Toure; Lovren; Moreno
Lallana; Milner; Lucas; Coutinho
Sturridge
Benteke
Villarreal-
Asenjo
Costa; Ruiz; Bertrand; Gaspar
Bruno; Pina; Suarez; Dos Santos
Soldado; Bakambu
Stats-
Before the first leg, Villarreal and Liverpool have never met before in a European competition, but they faced one another in a club friendly in 2008, which ended in a goalless draw in Spain.
The Yellow Submarine have not had the best results against English opposition in recent years as they have not won any of their last 10 matches against Premier League clubs (before first leg).
In total, Villarreal have won three, drawn six and lost four of their 12 UEFA games against English teams, while Liverpool’s 32 matches against Spanish teams have ended in 13 wins, 10 draws and nine defeats.
Tactics-
The Tottenham flop Roberto Soldado didn’t have a great time in England, but he still possesses the ability to punish the defenders. He is a selfless striker and always loves to find the partner in the box.
On the other hand, Bakambu has been a real force for the Spanish side as he is currently the top scorer in the competition with 9 goals in 12 appearances.
The young and dynamic midfielder Suarez got the better of Liverpool’s defence in the last leg and will be a threat in the next game as well. His speed and his vision would be an headache for the Reds.
Liverpool, on the other hand, will be on the pursuit to score the goals and for that, the players need to ben in full enthusiasm. Klopp should start Daniel Sturridge as a false 9 and should deploy Benteke just in front of him. Benteke had a bitter season, but he still has the fire power inside him to trouble the visitors.
Prediction-
Well, it will be a tough encounter and the score is hard to predict. Villarreal will be defending the lead, while Liverpool will be in search of the goal. Liverpool have the upper hand in the game as they have the home advantage, but I do think that, the Submarines would clinch the victory from Klopp this time again.
1-2 Villarreal
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