Champions League Preview: Liverpool v Villarreal
Liverpool head into their semi-final game against Villarreal after grinding out a 2-0 win against Everton in the Merseyside Derby at the weekend.
Meanwhile, The Yellow Submarine are also going into this crunch tie on the back of a pair of impressive results, having dismantled both Getafe and Valencia in their two most recent games.
Despite those wins for the Spanish side, Liverpool will still be viewed as favourites. This fact has been made all the more apparent by the fact that one Villarreal’s top players is a doubt.
Striker Gerard Moreno sustained a hamstring injury in that 2-1 win over Getafe and will struggle to be fit for this game. The attacker has averaged a goal every other game this season, so he will be a massive loss for Unai Emery’s side should he have to sit this one out.
Liverpool isn’t without their own injury concerns either, with Roberto Firmino nursing a foot injury. The Brazilian had to sit out the game against Everton but will be hoping to play some part in Liverpool’s quest to reach the Champions League final once again. Compare and find the most trusted tickets for the Champions League Final here on Seat-Compare.com
The Story So Far
Liverpool
The Reds were incredibly impressive in their group stage games this season, winning all six. It wasn’t as if they had an easy group either, with Porto, Atletico and AC Milan all having to be dealt with. After those games, Jurgen Klopp’s side got by a spirited Inter Milan, before outclassing Benfica.
Villarreal
Villarreal are proving to be an excellent cup team, reaching the last for of Europe’s premier competition after winning last season’s Europa League. They started off this campaign by finishing second in a group that contained Manchester United, Atalanta and Young Boys.
After that, they swept aside a fancied Juventus team and then knocked out perennial contenders, Bayern Munich.
Who Are The Star Men?
Liverpool
Mo Salah
When picking Liverpool’s star performer, it is hard to look past the man who is nicknamed ‘the Egyptian King’. In their 10 games so far in this year’s Champions League, he has scored eight goals.
That ratio is incredible, but it is also what we have come to expect from one of football’s most consistent attacking threats.
Saido Mane
Mane is another player who has been consistently brilliant for Liverpool over a few seasons now. If you want to see what sort of attitude this player has, just take a look at the goal he scored against Manchester City in the recent FA Cup tie. Mane closed down a lost cause, which gave Liverpool an unassailable advantage against the current Premier League champions. It is this work rate, coupled with his skill and natural ability, that make him one of the best attackers on the planet.
Villarreal
Arnaut Danjuma
Six goals in 10 games from midfield is an incredible return from Danjuma. He is the rock that this side is built upon, and his consistent performances have led to the Dutchman being linked with moves away from The Yellow Submarine.
For now, he is one of their main men and he will be hoping that they can add another upset to the list in this week’s games.
Samu Chukwueze
Chukwueze has been a constant thorn in the side of opposition defences during this season’s tournament. His blistering pace has been difficult to contain and that is demonstrated by the two goals he has already contributed to his side’s cause in this season’s tournament.
Who Will Win?
It is impossible to look past Liverpool for this one. They are on the hunt to win the quadruple this season, but Villarreal have made a habit of upsetting the odds. Still, we think Jurgen Klopp’s Reds will prevail to another final.
The winners will go on to Paris at the Stade De France to play in the biggest game in European Football, the UEFA Champions League. The games will be potentially as follows:
- Real Madrid vs Liverpool
- Liverpool v Manchester City
- Real Madrid vs Villarreal
- Manchester City vs Villarreal
Whichever the game, the demand for tickets will be extremely hand, UEFA have had thousands of applications for tickets.
