Liverpool, with a healthy advantage, would be looking to finish the job in their semi finals return leg against Villarreal on Tuesday. Read on for our expert tips and predictions.
The Reds, just like they did against Villareal in the 2015/2016 UEFA Europa League semifinals, proved to be too good for Villarreal on home soil in the first leg last Wednesday.
Liverpool with a foot in the final
Villarreal have impressed in the UEFA Champions League knockout this season but they were dominated from start to finish when they visited Anfield last Wednesday. The absence of Gerard Moreno was surely a factor in the first leg but the 90 minutes at Merseyside wasn't a good sight for the Villarreal supporters. A 2-0 loss against Deportivo Alaves over the weekend wasn't exactly an ideal way to warm up for this Tuesday's tie but Unai Emery's troops have downed Juventus and Villarreal to get to this stage and we have a feeling they wouldn't go down without a fight. The Yellow Submarine head into this game unbeaten on home soil since November and whether they would use this as a platform to pull off one of the greatest Champions League comebacks of all time is left to see.
The month of May is could be one of the greatest months in Liverpool's history as they go on the hunt for an extraordinary quadruple. Estupinian's own goal and Sadio Mane's toe-poke made sure of a healthy first-leg advantage for the Reds and as such, they do have one foot firmly in the showpiece event. Following the first leg victory, the Reds posted yet another win in the league to temporarily usurp Manchester City at the summit of the standings who quickly responded with a win of their own later that day. It's now five wins on the bounce for this well-oiled Liverpool side who now look towards securing a spot in the UEFA Champions League final for the 10 times in their illustrious story.
Villarreal vs Liverpool Team News
Villarreal possible starting XI:
Rulli; Foyth, Albiol, Torres, Estupinan; Capoue, Coquelin, Parejo; Lo Celso; Chukwueze, Dia
Liverpool possible starting XI:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago; Salah, Mane, Diaz
Villarreal vs Liverpool Prediction: 1-2
Unai Emery's charges have been splendid on home soil in this Champions' League knockout run and although we're expecting them to, at least, get on the scoresheet this time around, Klopp and Co. are too good to throw away a 2-0 first-leg advantage.