Liverpool vs Villarreal: UCL Semi-final, First Leg Match Preview, Predicted Line-ups and Dream11 Predictions

Liverpool vs Villarreal is the upcoming first leg match in this year's UEFA Champions League semi-final. Villarreal looks to continue their dream run in UCL as they travel to Anfield to face favourites Liverpool.

Liverpool vs Villarreal: Match Preview:

Manchester United and Everton, Liverpool's two biggest rivals, have been conquered in the last week as Jurgen Klopp's side remain in contention for an unprecedented quadruple.

Where Manchester City's meeting with Real Madrid looks a meeting of two powerhouses of European football, Liverpool will surely have favoured being on this side of the draw.

🙌 @MoSalah x @LuisFDiaz19 🙌 pic.twitter.com/T6AbkWLRdv

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 26, 2022

That is not to say Unai Emery's Villarreal will be easy opponents of course, particularly after they beat Juventus and Bayern Munich, but the game looks to be one in which Klopp's team will be strong favourites.

Team News:

Liverpool:

Liverpool's squad remains in tremendous shape ahead of the first leg, with Roberto Firmino once again the only slight doubt for the home side after his foot injury kept him out of the Merseyside derby.

#UCL focus 🔛 pic.twitter.com/LN7031y4BI

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 26, 2022

Klopp otherwise has a full list of options to pick from and is expected to bring Ibrahima Konate straight back into the side, with the Frenchman scoring in both legs of the quarter-final win over Benfica.

Jordan Henderson and Luis Diaz can also anticipate recalls to the first XI after finding themselves among the substitutes at the weekend, while Mohamed Salah needs just four more Champions League goals to set a new record for English clubs in the competition; the Egyptian's 33 is only bettered by Sergio Aguero and Didier Drogba's 36.

Villareal:

Meanwhile, former Liverpool left-back Alberto Moreno will not be reuniting with his former club this week as he remains on the comeback trail from a ruptured cruciate ligament, while star attacker Gerard Moreno is also set to miss out.

Now in Liverpool 🛬🇬🇧!#UCL pic.twitter.com/DBzTmZJmFg

— Villarreal CF English (@VillarrealCFen) April 26, 2022

The 30-year-old could return from a hamstring problem in time for the second leg but is not expected to take part at Anfield, while Francis Coquelin has been training with the group and should be fine to take his place in the XI. Yeremi Pino has also picked up a fresh hamstring injury and will be absent.

As a result, the only real dilemma for Emery lies in the attacking third, with Chukwueze and Manu Trigueros battling to deputise for Moreno alongside Arnaut Danjuma, who has been linked with a move to Liverpool in recent months.

Liverpool vs Villarreal: Head to Head:

Liverpool and Villarreal are on an even footing as far as the official head-to-head record is concerned and have won one game apiece out of a total of three matches played between the two teams.

The previous meeting between the two sides took place in 2016 and ended in a 3-0 victory for Liverpool. Villarreal were poor on the day and will need to step up to the plate this week.

Recent performances in all competitions;

Liverpool:

2-2 draw against Manchester City

3-3 draw against Benfica

3-2 win over Manchester City

4-0 win over Manchester United

2-0 win over Everton

Villareal:

1-0 win over Bayern Munich

1-0 win over Athletic Club Bilbao

1-1 draw against Bayern Munich

2-1 win over Getafe

2-0 win over Valencia CF

Liverpool vs Villarreal: Predicted Line-ups:

Liverpool Predicted XI (4-3-3): Alisson Becker; Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andrew Robertson; Fabinho,, Thiago Alcantara, Jordan Henderson; Luis Diaz, Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah

Villarreal Predicted XI (4-3-3): Geronimo Rulli; Pau Torres, Raul Albiol, Juan Foyth, Pervis Estupinan; Dani Parejo, Etienne Capuoe, Manu Trigueros; Yeremi Pino, Giovani Lo Celso, Arnaut Danjuma

LIV vs VIL: Dream11 Predictions: