Unforgettable nights in European Football are all but moments to be relished for years, although Jurgen Klopp’s men have barely had the good fortune of dwelling on the merriment of their sensational victory over Borussia Dortmund as they visit El Madrigal to continue their quest for the Europa League trophy.
Villarreal pose a valid threat for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, as Marcelinho’s charges will look to take an advantage into the second leg at Anfield by winning their first leg tie at El Madrigal on the evening.
Kickoff and Live Telecast
Channel: Ten 2
Date and Time: 29th April 2016, 12:35 A.M. IST
Venue: El Madrigal, Spain
Live Streaming: http://www.tensports.com/football
Betting Odds: Villarreal: 6/4; Draw 23/10; Liverpool 21/10 via Bet365
Team News
Villarreal
Leo Baptistao misses the tie with injury. Mateo Musacchio and Jaume Costa are both major doubts for the game and may not be risked. Marcelino otherwise has no such problems for the game to deal with and may well move ahead with the same eleven that he used at Prague earlier in the month.
Liverpool
Liverpool are in some turmoil personnel wise as the much of the spine of their starting eleven seems to be out. Emre Can and Jordan Henderson are out with injury along with Divock Origi. Mamadou Sakho has managed to end up on the wrong side of a doping test which makes him unavailable as he awaits his punishment having accepted the charge. Christian Benteke meanwhile makes his return to the squad from injury.
Probable Lineups
Villarreal (4-4-2): Areola; Rukavina, Ruiz, Bailly, Mario; Suarez, Bruno, Trigueros, Castillejo; Soldado, Bakambu
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Mignolet; Clyne, Lovren, Toure, Moreno; Lucas, Milner; Coutinho, Firmino, Lallana; Sturridge
Form
Villarreal
Villarreal come into the game without having won any of their last three games which include two losses to Real Madrid and Rayo Vallecano and a draw against Real Sociedad. They did, however, win the two games prior to these three against Sparta Prague and Getafe.
Last 5 Matches: W-W-L-L-D ( Last match: Villarreal 0-0 Real Sociedad)
Liverpool
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will hope to see his side respond to their last game’s hapless second half display as they blew a two-goal lead accrued by half time to draw the game 2-2. Liverpool have won all of their four games prior to the draw. In all of these games, Liverpool have scored a combined 16 goals.
Last 5 Matches: W-W-W-W-D( Last match: Liverpool 2-2 Newcastle United)
Key Stats:
- Liverpool are undefeated in their last 12 Europa League matches.
- Liverpool have scored 16 goals in their last 5 games in all competitions.
- Villarreal have scored only once in their last 3 games in all competitions.
- Villarreal have won each of their six home encounters in the Europa League this season.
Key Battles:
Philippe Coutinho vs Mario Gaspar
Philippe Coutinho is the one player on whom Liverpool will pin most of their hopes with regards to this tie. It makes for impressive reading as Philippe Coutinho has really come alive under Jurgen Klopp this season popping up with important goals and vital contributions except when started.
The Brazilian offers that fine bit of magic when teams seem to sit back without offering the Scousers any space to operate in the final third. It seems the team will be heavily reliant on the smiling Brazilian to deliver on this occasion as well.
Up against the wily Brazilian will be the recently called up Spanish International right back Mario Gaspar. Gaspar has enjoyed two really good seasons in front of the Madrigal faithful, as he has pushed his way into the national setup based on his complete performances for Marcelino Toral. On this night, hopes will remain high amongst the Yellow Submarine that they will be able to keep Coutinho out of the game throughout with help from Mario.
James Milner vs Soriano Bruno
James Milner had to move about with something of an Albatross around his neck for most of the season as he struggled initially to impact the Reds’ side that in some way expected him to fill the void left by Steven Gerrard. However with time, as he settled into the team, under Jurgen Klopp no less, James Milner has become ever present in this Liverpool team.
On the night, James Milner will face, Villarreal’s own equivalent of the Liverpool talisman. Bruno Soriano is one player who could’ve played for any club in Spain or even abroad. Such is his ability on the ball and off it that he would’ve been a vital cog in any team. However, his loyalty towards the Yellow Submarine is unshakeable and he remains their very own Talisman.
On the night, as unusual as it may seem, this may be the one battle which might determine the result of this game in more ways than one. So, this is one battle you might want to keep an eye out for.
Prediction
It seems like a difficult proposition for Jurgen Klopp’s men to break down Villarreal at the Madrigal with half their spine missing but this team may just be enough to grab one goal on the night. Villarreal though are unlikely to lose the game.
Villarreal 1-1 Liverpool
Betting odds
Villareal win: 6/4
Draw: 23/10
Liverpool win: 21/10
