MY ACCOUNT
Liverpool are looking to keep their Quadruple quest alive by overcoming surprise package Villarreal in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Wednesday.
The Reds came through a wonderfully exciting tussle with Benfica 6-4 on aggregate to ensure that scooping four trophies is still a reality.
Jurgen Klopp has already tasted Champions League success during his tenure after beating Tottenham 2-0 in the 2019 final and more of the same could be on the agenda.
Villarreal are by far the weakest side left in the competition on paper but Unai Emery’s side managed to stun the mighty Bayern Munich over two legs and will be full of confidence heading to Anfield.
Diaz can shine
One player who has made a huge impact at Liverpool this season is Luis Diaz.
There is a case to make for him being the signing of the season considering how much he has complemented an already outstanding line-up. His direct running, pace and technique blend perfectly into the Reds’ system.
Diaz’s emergence means Klopp has genuine options at his disposal compared to previous years when he had to rely pretty much solely on Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, and Roberto Firmino.
The January arrival only came off the bench in Sunday’s Merseyside derby victory against Everton and therefore may be more likely to get a start.
He has had a hand in four goals in his last four starts for Liverpool and can shine again if called upon.
Liverpool set for a win
The Reds have been absolutely sensational since the turn of the year, becoming harder to stop the longer the season has progressed.
Only Manchester City have prevented them from taking three points out of a Premier League fixture since the middle of January.
In that time, they have also only conceded four goals in the top flight, with two of those coming against the defending champions.
It has been in Europe where they have shown the most vulnerability.
Liverpool lost the second leg of their last-16 tie 1-0 against Inter at home before drawing 3-3 with Benfica in the quarter-finals, nearly letting the Portuguese side back into the game at Anfield in bizarre fashion.
Although it could be argued they had each tie very much in their control after the first legs.
But even with those minor missteps, it is hard to see anything other than a Liverpool win — they have become such a juggernaut and it will be tough for the visitors to stop them over 90 minutes.
It is worth noting that Villarreal recently suffered successive away losses at Osasuna, Cadiz and Levante in LaLiga.
They were also beaten home and away by Manchester United, who have lost twice to Liverpool this season by an aggregate score of 9-0, in the group stages of the Champions League.
Villarreal can find the back of the net
With Liverpool open to conceding a few in the Champions League, Villarreal should at least be confident of not being blown away by the Reds.
Juventus and Bayern Munich have found out to their cost just how difficult they can be as opponents and this will essentially be a free swing for Emery’s side with the pressure firmly on the Reds.
The Yellow Submarine are unbeaten in their last five matches in all competitions and they can take advantage of Liverpool’s less than stellar recent defensive record in the competition.
