https://www.ja606.co.uk/articles/viewLiveArticle/444442
LFC: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Thiago, Henderson; Salah, Mane, Diaz
Subs: Adrian, Kelleher, Milner, Keita, Gomez, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Minamino, Jota, Origi, Matip, Williams, Elliott
A potentially historic season is on the cards for Liverpool, as they look to replicate their EFL and FA Cup semi-final triumphs when they take on Villarreal in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) last four. This will be Liverpool’s 12th appearance at this stage of Europe’s premier club competition, with the Merseysiders progressing in nine of their 11 previous efforts, and winning the 2018/19 edition when last beating Spanish opposition at this stage.
The ‘Reds’ red-hot form continued with a 2-0 win over Everton on Sunday keeping them right behind rivals Manchester City in the race for the Premier League title. That win also made it an impressive 21 victories across their 26 games (D4, L1) in 2022, with Liverpool’s domination throughout that run highlighted by 15 of those wins coming by a margin of 2+ goals. Despite the cauldron that awaits Villarreal at one of Europe’s most feared stadiums, Liverpool have a very mixed record versus Spanish sides at home (W7, D8, L6), which may give the visitors hope of avenging their 3-0 loss here in 2016.
Villarreal will face English opposition for the fourth time in their last five major European competition semi-finals, only getting the better of Arsenal on the way to winning last season's UEL title in that time. Villarreal’s confidence should be sky-high though after back-to-back domestic wins, and pulling off one of the shocks of the season in knocking out Bayern Munich during the last round.
Plenty has been made of manager Unai Emery’s influence in European competition, and with his impressive record of advancing from 31 of his last 37 knockout ties, he clearly knows how to approach a European night. He’ll need to spark his troops once again here to steer the ‘Yellow Submarine’ in the right direction, as they’ve now failed to win in England on their last eight visits (D3, L5).
Players to watch: Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah has scored 13 of his last 17 UCL goals after half-time, while Villarreal’s Arnaut Danjuma prefers early action, scoring the match opener in four of his last five goalscoring outings.
Hot stat: There have been 17 goals scored past the 75th minute in Liverpool’s last 16 home fixtures.
Liverpool v Villarreal
posted on 27/4/22
Start was a bit panicky on the ball, few times our lads clearing it sloppily despite having acres of space and time to bring it down. Passing tempo was slow but we were creating chances, missed some big ones. Work rate was there, whoever used the term suffocated was spot on.
posted on 27/4/22
Thiago picks up the MOTM award again
posted on 27/4/22
comment by Neo (U9135)
posted about a minute ago
Thiago picks up the MOTM award again
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Remind me who didn’t rate him?
posted on 27/4/22
Routine.
posted on 27/4/22
comment by KLS (U1695)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Neo (U9135)
posted about a minute ago
Thiago picks up the MOTM award again
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Remind me who didn’t rate him?
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I seem to remember Goofy really hated him.
posted on 27/4/22
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 27/4/22
comment by Terminator1 (U1863)
posted 50 minutes ago
comment by KLS (U1695)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Neo (U9135)
posted about a minute ago
Thiago picks up the MOTM award again
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Remind me who didn’t rate him?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I seem to remember Goofy really hated him.
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It's true. I wouldn't say hate but I felt he wasn't good enough to be ahead of wij hendo and fabinho. And to be fair let's be honest he wasn't great last season.
But I admit this season, esp since Jan he has been superb.
posted on 27/4/22
BTW great result today. Still only half time and if they get the first goal will ramp up the pressure but we seem to be in a really good form now and I fancy us to get through.
posted on 27/4/22
comment by The Goofy One (U16087)
posted less than a minute ago
comment by Terminator1 (U1863)
posted 50 minutes ago
comment by KLS (U1695)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Neo (U9135)
posted about a minute ago
Thiago picks up the MOTM award again
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Remind me who didn’t rate him?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I seem to remember Goofy really hated him.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
It's true. I wouldn't say hate but I felt he wasn't good enough to be ahead of wij hendo and fabinho. And to be fair let's be honest he wasn't great last season.
But I admit this season, esp since Jan he has been superb.
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Last season he was brilliant in that 10 game run at the end of the season and was instrumental in us getting top 4
posted on 28/4/22
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator