Villarreal vs Liverpool
Champions League
Date: Tuesday, 3 May 2022
Kick-off at 20:00 UK/ 21:00 CET
Venue: Estadio de la Ceramica.
When Liverpool takes on Villarreal in Spain this week, they will be attempting to qualify for the UEFA Champions League final in 2021-22.
Liverpool have maintained their ambitions of a record quadruple alive and kicking as we reach the final month of the 2021/22 European football season.
The Reds have already won the Carabao Cup and will compete in the FA Cup final against Chelsea later this month.
With only one point separating Jurgen Klopp’s side and Manchester City in the Premier League title race, they are very much in contention.
When it comes to the UEFA Champions League, Liverpool has already qualified for the finals.
Last week, the Merseyside giants beat surprise package Villarreal 2-0 in the first leg of their semi-final clash, effectively confirming their progression.
When they visit Estadio de la Ceramica on Tuesday night, they must avoid complacency and complete the task in a professional manner.
Since their Round of 16 second-leg defeat to Inter Milan in the Champions League, Liverpool has not lost a game in any competition.
Klopp’s side enters Tuesday’s match on the back of a 1-0 win against Newcastle United in the Premier League, which extends their undefeated record to 12 games.
Villarreal suffered another defeat in La Liga, losing 2-1 to Deportivo Alaves after losing the first leg at Anfield.
Unai Emery’s team, on the other hand, has proved that they are not to be underestimated, having eliminated Bayern Munich in the previous round.
The Yellow Submarine, who are now unbeaten in all competitions at home, have the ability to put up a strong fight and make life difficult for Liverpool.
Villarreal vs Liverpool Head to head :
- These two had clashed in the semifinal of the 2015-16 Europa League semifinals, and then Liverpool managed to progress to the Final.
- They have scored a total of five goals from the past two meetings.
- They have kept clean sheets in the past two clashes.
- Villarreal are on a four-match losing streak against English teams.
Villarreal vs Liverpool Prediction :
Villarreal are a formidable team, particularly at home, where they have won all 12 of their games in all competitions.
They will, however, face a Liverpool side that is vying for glory on all fronts and demonstrating that they have what it takes to go all the way.
Villarreal will make things difficult for Liverpool, but because they are chasing the game, there may be openings at the back for Jurgen Klopp’s side to exploit.
The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-0 win for Liverpool, setting up a showdown with either Manchester City or Real Madrid in the final.
Villarreal vs Liverpool Team News :
Villarreal’s medical room has started to fill up again at the worst possible time, with ex-Liverpool players Alberto Moreno and Yeremi Pino still out, while Arnaut Danjuma was forced to leave the Alaves defeat at the last minute owing to discomfort and his future is unknown.
Francis Coquelin and Raul Albiol are expected to be healthy for the second leg, although Gerard Moreno remains a worry with a hamstring injury and may only be fit enough to sit on the bench this week.
Pau Torres and Dani Parejo were substituted at halftime in a tactical move by Emery at the weekend, and the Villarreal manager will revert to his best possible XI this week after making changes for the domestic match.
Liverpool’s only injury concern is Brazilian forward Roberto Firmino, whose foot injury is proving to be more difficult to overcome than expected, and he will not be playing in this match.
Curtis Jones and Kostas Tsimikas both came off the bench in the win over Newcastle, while cult hero Divock Origi has also recovered from a sickness, and Klopp was not hesitant to make a number of changes at St James’ Park.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho, Mohamed Salah, and Thiago Alcantara are among the players who will return to the starting lineup this week, while Sadio Mane’s 15th Champions League knockout goal would tie him with Frank Lampard for the most strikes in this round of the tournament for an English club.
Villarreal possible starting lineup:
Rulli; Foyth, Albiol, Torres, Estupinan; Capoue, Coquelin, Parejo; Lo Celso; Chukwueze, Dia
Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago; Salah, Mane, Diaz
