The quadruple dream is still alive. Liverpool are on the brink of creating history. The next step towards that is the UEFA Champions League semifinal against Villarreal. If Liverpool play at their best they have the chance to get into their third Champions League final under Jurgen Klopp with a win in this Liverpool v Villarreal game.
The first leg of the UEFA Champions Liverpool v Villarreal semifinal will be played at Anfield on Wednesday evening.
Liverpool beat Benfica very comfortably in the quarter finals beating them 5-3 on aggregate. On the other hand, Villarreal have caused two major upsets by knocking out Juventus in the Round of 16 and then beating Bayern Munich in the quarter finals.
With the Champions League entering the final rounds of completion, it will be interesting to see whether Unai Emery can continue his fine European form and take Villarreal to their first-ever UCL final or will Liverpool and Klopp avenge their defeat to Emery in Europe during his managerial stint at Sevilla.
Liverpool v Villarreal Head-To-Head
Liverpool and Villarreal have faced each other once before in Europe. That game was a Europa League semi final in 2015/16. Liverpool had beaten Villarreal 3-1 on aggregate in that game. Liverpool won their home game at Anfield 3-0 and lost 0-1 in the return leg in Spain.
However, this game is a completely different story. Both teams are flying
Liverpool v Villarreal Form
Villarreal comes into this game in great form, both domestically and in Europe. They are currently on a six-match unbeaten streak. As mentioned, their Champions League form has been exceptional. Many do believe that the underdog’s tag has suited them and they’ve surprised more than a few of us.
Liverpool have been flying. They come into this game on the back of wins of arch-rivals Everton and Manchester United. Those wins see Klopp’s men go on a run of 10-matches unbeaten.
Villarreal’s last five matches:
2-0 Win vs Valencia (La Liga)
2-1 Win vs Getafe (La Liga)
1-1 Draw vs Bayern Munich (Champions League quarters)
1-1 Draw vs Athletic Bilbao (La Liga)
1-0 Win vs Bayern Munich (Champions League quarters)
Liverpool’s last five matches:
2-0 Win vs Everton (English Premier League)
4-0 Win vs Manchester United (English Premier League)
3-2 Win vs Manchester City (FA Cup semis)
3-3 Draw vs Benfica (Champions League quarters)
2-2 Draw vs Manchester City (English Premier League)
Predicted Line-ups for Liverpool v Villarreal
Liverpool’s Predicted XI:
Alisson Becker; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Virgil Van Dijk, Andy Robertson; Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago Alcantara; Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota, Sadio Mane
Villarreal’s Predicted XI:
Geronimo Rulli; Juan Foyth, Raul Albiol, Pau Torres, Pervis Estupinan; Dani Parejo, Etienne Capoue, Francis Coquelin, Giovani Lo Celso; Paco Alcacer, Arnaut Danjuma.
Predicted Result for Liverpool v Villarreal:
Liverpool 3-1 Villarreal