Liverpool seem determined to land the quadruple this season. They have won the EFL Cup already, and are alive in the other three competitions.
Liverpool vs Villarreal | Wednesday 27 April | Anfield | 21:00
David entertaining Goliath? I think this might have a little more to it than that to be honest. Of course, Liverpool are worthy favourites. I’m just not convinced they are 2/7 odds on favourites!
The quadruple is still on for Liverpool to achieve…the world holds its collective breathe. I would then assume most of mankind will be backing the visitors.
Never mind me, it’s the Champions League semi-final! So, in the words of Fabrizio Romano: Here we go!
To Win (90 mins)
Liverpool 2/7 | Draw 48/10 | Villarreal 17/2
Liverpool
Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp are still on course to win a quadruple this season…. a quadruple! I mean you have to give respect where it is due.
Look, it must be said: Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp have been out of this world this year. In terms of the club and its players they have continued to give credence to their identity and style of play. Now that might sound like a nothing statement, but when you are asked to play with such confident boldness against every opposition you face, that is truly commendable.
The very best clubs in the world can do this and usually, they go on to achieve greatness. I hope I haven’t just spoken, thought, or indeed written something into the universe now. Jurgen Klopp often looks rather unhinged on the side of the field, but his aggressive loyalty to his side and how they play is crazy. He constantly demands the best of his players and does this whilst also being very aware of who and what he is to come up against.
Klopp will know that to underestimate an Unai Emery Villarreal would be foolish. Foolish indeed. The Reds will need to impose their style of play on their novice visitors early. Anfield will need to make itself heard and ensure the atmosphere is as uncomfortable as we have come to expect from Champions League nights in Merseyside.
Liverpool have scored 25 goals in the Champions League alone. It is a statistic which is almost comical. The agenda will be clear then, attack with unrelenting and unforgiving aggression. Win the game in the first 90 minutes. Ensure Villarreal never settle nor believe they even belong on this stage.
Villarreal
I really have appreciated the focus and commitment Unai Emery has seemingly placed on mentality at Villarreal. When you talk about a football side, the first and often most poignant points associated with the thought is the quality of individual players the side have on the field.
And yes, this obviously makes sense…and then you look at Villarreal’s season, their Champions League campaign almost doesn’t fit. They are currently in seventh place in La Liga, 11 points off Atletico Madrid in fourth and with just eight games to play they are not going to be qualifying for the Champions League next season.
It is, however, in the Champions League where they look to be playing with a point to prove. The manager has spoken about taking one game at a time and ensuring they achieve the goal of highlighting and take advantage of their opponents’ weaknesses, especially considering it is an all or nothing situation. A once off opportunity if you will.
Emery has proven himself a specialist at navigating cup competitions and bringing success to his clubs, especially where he is given time and moderate resources to put out a team which speaks to his principles. How can you fault the mentality of a side who have knocked out both Juventus and Bayern Munich from the Champions League? You would almost be mad to bet against them when they are underdogs.
I think the only thing, and I mean the only thing, which helps their cause against a rampant Liverpool is visiting Anfield first. If they can stay in the tie after these 90 minutes, well anything can happen in Spain…
Prediction: Under 3.5 Goals (6/10)
I cannot believe the price available on this tip. 6/10 available for less than four goals being scored in a game which will likely see two sides feel each other out for the opening quarter before the hosts inevitably look to impose themselves. I would suggest that it is worth assuming that the visitors will want to stay in the game for as long as possible, knowing the longer the game remains close and edgy, the more likely it is that Anfield’s noise might become more of a pressure adage.
I would suggest adding both Champions League tips to a sneaky midweek double and then having a real crack!
