Last night was a movie! Manchester City vs Real Madrid surpassed the hype with an explosive game. If you missed the game, don’t worry we got you, check the highlights here.
Tonight promises to be another cracker as Jurgen Klopp’s side remains in contention for an unprecedented quadruple. But first, they must slay the ‘Gaint Slayers’. Unai Emery and his band of Yellow Submarines have taken the Champions League by storm.
Villarreal are pushing for Champions League glory and they are taking no prisoners. Juventus and Bayern Munich can testify to that. However, pundits are of the opinion that there will be no complacency on the part of Klopp’s men.
So what would be the outcome of this David meets Goliath match-up? Apex Football takes a look at the key battles that will determine the winners of this encounter.
Key Battles
Unai Emery would have sleepless nights thinking about how to contain Liverpool’s mercurial front three. Klopp usually employs Salah, Mane and Jota but he could switch things up with Luis Diaz. That’s enough firepower to prod the Villarreal defence.
Pau Torres will have to put in his best shift to stop Liverpool’s front three. Speaking of Pau Torres, rumour has it that some scouts would be at Anfield to see his performance so we might be looking at some prime Maldini display.
Van Dijk will have to worry about the in-form Arnaut Danjuma, a hybrid winger/forward. If there is one thing the Kops cannot afford in this fixture, it is to concede a goal or more.
Alexander Trent-Arnold will have to watch his back.
Expect a display of tactical masterpiece from both managers. The game of chess would be in full swing as Unai Emery will try to grind Klopp’s flying stars to a halt.
Team News
Liverpool have little in the way of fresh injury concern, although Roberto Firmino looks likely to remain absent.
The Brazilian international missed the wins over Manchester United and Everton with a foot injury and although he’s now back working outside, is not expected to be fit for tonight.
“I don’t think [he is ready] yet,” said Klopp. “He is running outside and that’s good, obviously, but I am not sure. Maybe somebody will surprise me afterwards and tell me, ‘Yes, Bobby is in.’ [I will have] open arms, but I don’t think so.”
Jordan Henderson started on the bench for Sunday’s Merseyside derby, along with Luis Diaz, and both made telling contributions, so could potentially come into the side.
For Villarreal, Gerard Moreno is absent in a major blow to Emery. Former Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin, meanwhile, has recently returned to training.
Apex Football News 