da leao： Tonight Liverpool take on Villarreal in the first leg of the Europa League semi-finals. Ahead of what will be undoubtedly be a tightly contested affair at El Madrigal, let’s take a look at how Liverpool can beat the Yellow Submarine.
da pinnacle： Villarreal occupy 4th position in La Liga, and whilst Champions League football looks set to be played at the club next year, they are a whopping 20 points adrift of the title race. Nevertheless, the Spanish side do harbour some potent threats Liverpool will need to nullify over the 180+ minutes of this tie.
Cedric Bakambu is the Yellow Submarine’s main threat. The Congolese forward has pace to burn and, with nine goals in 11 Europa League games this season, stopping him will be Liverpool’s main focus. Mamadou Sakho is out due to his ongoing drug test saga, so it will be up to Dejan Lovren and one of Kolo Toure or Martin Skrtel to take care of Bakambu. Jurgen Klopp seems to fancy Toure over the Slovakian, but with the Ivorian’s pace on the wane, it could prove to be a fatal mismatch in this tie. Lovren, meanwhile, has become Liverpool’s best defender – unthinkable 12 months ago – and whomever he is partnered with will have to follow the Croatian’s lead.
Liverpool’s defence will also have to watch out for Roberto Soldado. The man affectionately known as ‘Bobby Soldier’ from his days at Spurs has never really hit the heights from his Valencia days, but afforded the chance in the 18-yard box, you can bet he’ll punish the Reds. How Klopp sets up his back line is vital to this fixture as he looks to deal with contrasting styles of Villarreal’s strike force.
The creative threat of Villarreal’s midfield also needs considering. Like all good Spanish sides Villarreal boast a number of creative, technically astute players in the centre of the pitch. Denis Suarez, who Manchester City fans may remember, joined the club in August of last year and has proved an instant hit. In 40 appearances Suarez has scored five goals, and whilst this doesn’t appear to be a massive return, it’s how Suarez pulls the strings that Jurgen Klopp will need a plan for.
It’s widely thought that Liverpool need at least one away goal to have a good chance of winning the tie overall. Standing in their way, however, is one of the most promising goalkeepers in Europe. Alphonse Areola has been in fine form this season keeping 14 clean sheets in La Liga, and the man on loan for PSG will want to show why he should be their first choice next term.
Finally Liverpool will have to contend with a side that are clearly not inhibited by fear and with the backing of an intense atmosphere, manager Marcelino is ready to claim the scalp of one of Europe’s biggest names. Quoted by Sky Sports, speaking at his pre-match press conference the Yellows boss said:
“Liverpool might be the favourite – the club, their history and the fact that they knocked out Borussia Dortmund all add up – but we don’t consider ourselves to be less than them. We are going to give everything from our side to eliminate this legendary team. We don’t have any pressure on us. I’m really satisfied with, and grateful to, this squad for getting to this semi-final. We are very hopeful and convinced that we are capable of beating Liverpool, and all the while we’ll be enjoying the occasion. I felt more pressure in the previous knockout ties and we have the chance to make history at this club now.”
Clearly, Villarreal are ready, but having lost all three of their previous semi-finals in Europe, Liverpool have a vital advantage in terms of experience. Should they combine this with nullifying Villarreal’s threats, Liverpool might be in the driving seat to the final.
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