Liverpool host Villarreal in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League 2021-22 semi-finals at Anfield in the early hours of Thursday, April 28. The match will start at 12:30 AM IST (Indian Standard Time).
Jurgen Klopp luckily has no players suspended for the first leg of the UCL semi-final fixture. However, the only injury concern at hand is Brazilian striker Roberto Firmino. The 30-year-old, who can operate as a striker or an attacking midfielder, sat out the Merseyside derby with a foot injury. Although as things stand, Firmino could yet be involved on Wednesday.
Villarreal, on the other hand, have a major worry of their own. Spanish striker Gerard Moreno picked up a major hamstring strain in a 2-1 win over Getafe on April 17 and is set to be out of action till May.
Liverpool vs Villarreal odds for UEFA Champions League 2021-22
Liverpool: 1.28
Villarreal: 10.50
Draw: 5.80
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Note: Odds are subject to change.
Liverpool vs Villarreal recent form
Liverpool have kept two clean sheets in their last two games in the Premier League, an improvement from conceding in their previous four matches across all competitions. Unbeaten in overall 10 games, the Merseysiders enter as the in-form side in the contest
As for Villarreal, they have lost just three of their last ten matches across all competitions. Unai Emery’s team are the underdogs in the UCL 2021-22 and qualified for the semi-finals of the Champions League at the expense of German powerhouses Bayern Munich.
Liverpool: W, W, W, D, D
Villarreal: W, W, D, D, W
Liverpool vs Villarreal head-to-head
The head-to-head record between Liverpool and Villarreal is evenly poised, with both teams winning one game each.
Liverpool win: 1
Villarreal win: 1
Draw: 0
Liverpool vs Villarreal prediction and tips for UEFA Champions League 2021-22
Liverpool are the outright favourites to win the first leg of their UEFA Champions League 2021-22 semi-final against Villarreal.
The Reds’ results amidst a hectic April schedule is an indicator of their unwavering ambition for a quadruple, and given they are unbeaten against Spanish opposition in the UCL this term, Liverpool stand in good stead to maintain the record against Villarreal.
Unai Emery’s Villarreal have been nothing short of giant-killers this season and they will be eager to put on a confident performance against Liverpool in their own backyard.
Featured photo: AFP / JOSE JORDAN
