In what was already a special occasion, going up against one of the finest teams in Europe this season and the former club of manager Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool ensured that it would be a night that Anfield will never forget.
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Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp is confident his team will head to Spain well prepared for their Europa League semi-final, first-leg clash with Villarreal, even though they are missing several first-team players.
“It is important to understand my players are here in the semifinal because they were always ready for the moment”, he said. There is no doubt from my side. Liverpool were also beaten in the semi-final of the Europa League in 2010. Being fourth in the Spanish league (they are) unbelievably strong, playing with such a good balance, very good structure in the game, very very disciplined, good defending and good counter attacks. Here is the side I think Jurgen Klopp will pick for the game. If you go through, it could be experience but, if you use the experience in the wrong way, then it is bulls–.
“It is our only chance in 2015/16, in the Europa League, to go as far as possible”.
The centre-half has been stood down by the club after he tested positive for a “fat burner” which is on UEFA’s list of banned substances, it has been reported.
His Liverpool team-mate Kolo Toure was suspended for six months in 2011 while at Manchester City after he had been found to have taken prohibited water tablets which he claimed he got from his wife to help him slim down.
Klopp has no faith or trust in Martin Skrtel, which means the club is likely to be looking for a new defensive partner for Dejan Lovren.
“They have beaten Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid this season and drew with Barcelona, so Villarreal can be a threat against the big teams and Liverpool have to give them full respect”.
‘I’m really pleased for them, that finally they got the justice they wanted – 27 years is a very long time.
Without Origi, Daniel Sturridge is a certainty for the striker position, meaning we think the side will start something like the graphic we’ve made below.
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“In my time with Liverpool, we played a famous Premier League game against Newcastle that is still talked about to this day and it was comparable to the Dortmund game”.
