Liverpool will be looking to reach their first European final in nine years when Villarreal travel to Anfield for Thursday’s Europa League semi-final second leg.
The three-time winners’ last appearance in a continental final came in 2007, when they lost 2-1 to AC Milan in the Champions League final in Athens.
Villarreal, who are yet to appear in a European final, head to Merseyside looking to do what they couldn’t do against Arsenal in the Champions League semi-finals in 2006 and progress past the last-four.
Liverpool’s redeveloped Main Stand has had the first red seats delivered
The Yellow Submarine are the highest scoring side left in the competition with 23 goals, eight more than Liverpool.
The Reds had a poor warm-up for Thursday’s game as a much-changed side was comprehensively beaten 3-1 at Swansea on Sunday, but they will be brimming with confidence having knocked out tournament-favourites Borussia Dortmund dramatically in the quarters.
Team news
Liverpool forward Divock Origi is at the start of a lengthy spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury, but the good news is Emre Can will return to the squad after recovering from his own ankle problem.
Mamadou Sakho is not available after his ban for failing an anti-doping test was extended worldwide by FIFA.
Marcelino has a fully fit squad to pick from after defender Eric Bailly and on-loan Atletico Madrid striker Leo Baptistao overcame groin injuries.
The Reds have progressed from three of their previous five semi-finals in European competition after losing the first leg away from home.
Liverpool have won three of their last four home European matches during the knockout stages versus sides from Spain; conceding only twice in that time (L1).
Liverpool have lost four of their last five games against Spanish clubs while Villarreal have failed to win any of their last five visits to England in European competitions; scoring just one goal in that run (D2 L3).
The Yellow Submarine have failed to score in only one of their last 32 Europa League matches (including qualifiers).
Villarreal have gone 12 European games unbeaten (nine wins, three draws); that’s a new club record.
Only Aduriz (10, Athletic Bilbao) has scored more Europa League goals than Villarreal’s Cedric Bakambu this season (9).
UEFA Europa League Preview: Liverpool vs Villareal (agg. 0-1)
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