Villarreal welcome Liverpool to Estadio de la Ceramica in a crunch second leg of their semi-final tie in 2021-22 UEFA Champions League.
Trailing 2-0 from the first leg, Villarreal simply must score at least three goals to stand any chance of progressing to the Final, although two goals would be enough to force extra-time and potentially penalties.
Liverpool meanwhile know that a win or draw would see them safely through, although a 1-0 defeat would also be enough to knock Villarreal out on aggregate.
Team News
Gerard Moreno is a doubt for Villarreal as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury and missed Saturday’s La Liga defeat at Alaves.
Ex Premier League stars, Juan Foyth, Giovani Lo Celso and Etienne Capoue will be amongst several players looking to regain their places in the starting line-up, having been rested on Saturday.
Yeremi Pino (hamstring) and Alberto Moreno (knee) both remain absent.
Liverpool could welcome Divock Origi back into contention after he missed Saturday’s Premier League win at Newcastle due to illness.
Roberto Firmino (foot) is unlikely to feature as manager – Jurgen Klopp vows not to rush the Brazilian back until he is absolutely match fit.
Stat Attack
- Villarreal have lost two of their three previous meetings against Liverpool (W1, L2), including their only previous Champions League clash where they lost 2-0 at Anfield last week in the first leg.
- Liverpool lost their only previous visit to Villarreal in all competitions (L1), losing 1-0 in April 2016 in the first leg of their semi-final in 2015-16 UEFA Europa League.
- Jurgen Klopp’s Reds have scored five goals and conceded just once in three previous clashes against Villarreal.
- Villarreal’s Raul Albiol has attempted more clearances than any other player in the Champions League this season, having tried to make 62 clearances in 11 matches.
- Six of Liverpool’s 15 away Champions League goals this season have been scored by Mohamed Salah.
Prediction
Having been convincingly outclassed in the first leg with just one shot albeit off target, Villarreal now need to deliver a masterclass counter-attacking performance if they’re to turn this around because they were poor in possession, whilst their counter-attack ability was comfortably nullified.
Unai Emery however is one of the best tacticians when it comes to UEFA competitions but he will need his players at their best, whilst they simply must score first if they’re to stand any chance of qualifying for a maiden Champions League Final.
Liverpool meanwhile should be fully refreshed after Klopp made five changes at Newcastle, although he certainly will be slightly disappointed with poor finishing despite getting a clinical win where they were excellent in their pressing, passing and attacking movement.
In fact if Liverpool play here like they did at Newcastle, I just don’t see Villarreal getting anything let alone turning this tie around.
Prediction: Villarreal 0-2 Liverpool
Result: Villarreal 2-3 Liverpool (Liverpool win 5-2 on aggregate!!)
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