Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time
After a first leg deficit Liverpool are going to have to require another of those “European Nights” at Anfield if they are to progress past Villarreal and move on to the Europa League Final in less than a fortnights time.
That is due to Adrian Lopez’s late winner in the 1st leg when it nearly looked like a job well done for Jurgen Klopp and his Liverpool side. But after conceding late on the narrative of the game was turned on it’s head with many people asking why Klopp didn’t bring on or even start with a Striker in such an important tie
He’ll no doubt have to go with one Tonight if they are to overturn that slender deficit and they will no doubt be confident especially after the heroics of the Quarter Final although you get the feeling they won’t want to leave it that late to secure their place in the final against either Shakhtar or Villarreal
They didn’t prepare in the best of circumstances at the weekend after losing 3-1 to Swansea at The Liberty Stadium but that came with the caveat that it was a near reserve side that Klopp put out with his full focus being placed on Tonight’s encounter.
That defeat has harmed their Top 6 chances and maybe it really is now Europa League or bust for Liverpool. They’ll obviously set out to win the competition outright but if they fail to get past Villarreal or even win the final for that matter will then they settle for 8th place themselves and give them a proper crack at the Top 4 next season?
Their opponents Villarreal have already secured a Top 4 finish in La Liga and with that the prize of a Champions League place next season, that said they would still love to end the season with some silverware and also a place in the European Supercup in August. They secured 4th spot with a win at The Mestalla over local rivals Valencia on Sunday and now they will be able to fully focus on Tonight’s encounter knowing one way or the other they will be dining in European Competition’s top table next season.
As for Tonight, the key for the home side is not to concede that crucial away goal otherwise they will have to score 3 times. I think Liverpool will be able to overturn Villarreal’s slender advantage and secure a place in the Europa League Final I doubt it will have the drama of the previous round but I think Liverpool will win 2-0 on the night
Papa Johns – If your team scores twice then it’s half price
