Villarreal vs Liverpool: Champions League team news and predicted XIs
All the latest team news ahead of the Champions League fixture between Villarreal and Liverpool at La Cerámica on Tuesday 3 May.
Villarreal host Liverpool on Tuesday night in the first of two semi-final second legs in the Champions League this week.
Liverpool are favourites to advance to the Champions League final, heading to Villarreal with a 2-0 lead from their semi-final first leg at Anfield.
“It will be different at La Cerámica,” Villarreal manager Unai Emery said after Liverpool dominated the first leg. Emery admitted the damage “could have been worse” at Anfield. The Yellow Submarine have already defeated both Juventus and Bayern Munich this season and will be looking to cause another upset on Tuesday.
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Villarreal suffered a 2-1 defeat to Alavés in LaLiga at the weekend, while Liverpool beat Newcastle 1-0 to stay in the title race with Manchester City. Jurgen Klopp recently signed a new deal at Anfield until 2026 and his team are currently chasing a quadruple. Klopp has already tasted Champions League glory with the club, lifting the trophy in 2019 after a 2-0 win over Tottenham in Madrid.
Villarreal: injuries and suspensions
Villarreal trained on Monday ahead of the game, including first-team regulars Gerard Moreno, Raúl Albiol and Francis Coquelin. Gerard Moreno could start the match after picking up an injury over a fortnight ago and missing the first leg.
Unfortunately for Unai Emery, key attacker Arnaut Danjuma missed the final session and could miss out tomorrow. Spain international Yeremy Pino is also out due to a muscular problem.
Liverpool: injuries and suspensions
Roberto Firmino could miss out with a foot injury. Divock Origi was absent for the win over Newcastle on Saturday due to illness but could be available for a place in the squad for the second leg.
Villarreal vs Liverpool: possible starting XIs
Villarreal: Rulli; Foyth, Albiol, Pau Torres, Estupiñán; Capoue, Coquelin, Parejo, Lo Celso; Chukwueze, Gerard Moreno.
Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Matip, Robertson; Fabinho, Thiago, Henderson; Salah, Mané, Luis Díaz.
When is the 2021/22 Champions League final?
The 2021/22 Champions League final will take place at Saint-Denis’s Stade de France on Saturday 28 May at 9:00 pm CEST. That’s 3:00 pm ET and 12:00 pm PT.