Euro League Semi Finals vs. Villarreal

[Darkon]

So we drew Villarreal in the semis first game away, return at Anfield. On paper the best draw IMO. We have more experience in the squad. Sevilla is a great cup team with some really good players underperforming slightly in the league this year. Shaktar is notoriously difficult and going to Ukraine mid-week is no dream, so overall I think it's as good as it gets.

Really looking forward to this - will be a great set of fixtures and something to look forward to now that everything else is pretty much summed up.

[danperkins]

Personally I wanted to avoid Villareal & think they are the strongest side out of the 3 left. They have that fella Bakambu playing for them whomever he is, apparently having a very good season. They'll be gutted they got us though, especially with the second leg in Anfield... place will be bouncing.

It's a great tie, hopefully alot of the people that weren't interested in the Europa League at the start of the season, have a refreshed view on it now. It's really a rejuvenated competition over the last few seasons. What a fabulous chance for us to get into the Champs League through the back door.

[Darkon]

Personally I wanted to avoid Villareal & think they are the strongest side out of the 3 left. They'll be gutted they got us though.

It's a great tie, hopefully alot of the people that weren't interested in the Europa League at the start of the season, have a refreshed view on it now. It's really a rejuvenated competition over the last few seasons. What a fabulous chance for us to get into the Champs League through the back door.

I honestly don't think they are. Them being 4th placed in La Liga tells more about the other teams season thus far than it does theirs tbh. They are a good side no doubt, all the teams left are, but I'd still much prefer them (or Sevilla) over Shaktar at the moment.

[Chris]

Going to be a toughie. Watched Bakambu every week when he was at Bursaspor and Sochaux, remarkable player, he'll be tough to stop.

They'll bring ****ty support to Anfield I expect, not sure if thats good or bad though really.

[G]

Going to be a toughie. Watched Bakambu every week when he was at Bursaspor and Sochaux, remarkable player, he'll be tough to stop.

They'll bring ****ty support to Anfield I expect, not sure if thats good or bad though really.

On a serious note, I think all the teams are pretty even at this stage and I don't think it makes a difference who we got, we just put the best team out and we are clearly winning this tournament.

[danperkins]

I honestly don't think they are. Them being 4th placed in La Liga tells more about the other teams season thus far than it does theirs tbh. They are a good side no doubt, all the teams left are, but I'd still much prefer them (or Sevilla) over Shaktar at the moment.

Whomever it was, it was going to be a tough game alright. All of the other 3 teams a good sides. Great comp for the last few years, glad alot of people's interest in it is being revived.

[frank the tank]

I can't wait for the games to come around.

The prize of getting a CL place obviously makes this a whole lot more interesting for the club financially and if Klopp takes us to the CL by winning the EL, then the team could really build momentum going forward. Also, all of a sudden we could be looking at signing the likes of Goetze or Reus because of CL participation.

I have read stupid articles and have heard some stupid discussions on the radio along the lines of "have LFC really improved under Klopp, they are still 8th in the league etc" Well stevie wonder could see that we have improved big time. Lovren and Sakho have improved. Firmino has improved. Origi has improved. And if our player recruitment improves (which it would be hard not to) then we are definitely a team on the up.

[Daffy Duck]

They look much inferior on paper. I don't know many of their players, those that I do are either **** or injured, but they're in the semi-final for a reason, and they've given both Barca and Real a hard time in the league. What worries me is how we perform in the favorites role; all these defeats against weaker teams in the League, barely scraping a win over Augsburg, etc... Hopefully the team gets into an euphoric frenzy and they perform the way they are capable.

[Rich]

Going to be a toughie. Watched Bakambu every week when he was at Bursaspor and Sochaux, remarkable player, he'll be tough to stop.

They'll bring ****ty support to Anfield I expect, not sure if thats good or bad though really.

[danperkins]

Yez do know now that the cunt is going to score against us!

[redmike65]

If the lads don't give them a two goal lead a final beckons. Got to hope Klopp sees that three in the middle which can transition into a diamond is the best mix of defence and attack.

Given the injury list something like this

---------Mignolet
Clyne-Lovren-Sakho-Moreno
----------Lucas
-------Allen--Coutinho
Milner---Sturridge--Origi

Ward, Kolo, Smith, Stewart, Lallana, Firmino, Ojo

Milner could start deeper but it deffo plays best on the wing high up and Origi looks most comfy on the left.

[danperkins]

Lucas back at least covers for Can's absence and is more specialised. I do think Can's absence gives a deserved chance to Joe Allen. Sturridge will be fitter by then too, which can only be a good thing.

Still wanna see us play 2 up top though

[el matador]

theyre very good at home and pretty **** away. So we have to keep it tight there and score an away, then blitz them at home.

[Irishnev]

They look much inferior on paper. I don't know many of their players, those that I do are either **** or injured, but they're in the semi-final for a reason, and they've given both Barca and Real a hard time in the league. What worries me is how we perform in the favorites role; all these defeats against weaker teams in the League, barely scraping a win over Augsburg, etc... Hopefully the team gets into an euphoric frenzy and they perform the way they are capable.

I know they are having a good season and done well versus Barca + Real but we have beaten City, Chelsea, United, Dortmund and Leicester () etc. Our players need to build on this and as you say handle the expectation of being favourites.

Regardless of how good Villarreal are doing this year they are still a "small" club and once they hit the cauldron of Anfield they may just fold under the pressure. Bigger players have in the past.

We have a MASSIVE change for European silverware and a route into the CL now, we have to take this.

[BigChief]

I know they are having a good season and done well versus Barca + Real but we have beaten City, Chelsea, United, Dortmund and Leicester () etc. Our players need to build on this and as you say handle the expectation of being favourites.

Regardless of how good Villarreal are doing this year they are still a "small" club and once they hit the cauldron of Anfield they may just fold under the pressure. Bigger players have in the past.

We have a MASSIVE change for European silverware and a route into the CL now, we have to take this.

Mickytarian and Aubergine certainly felt the pressure. Disappeared after their brief dangerous spell(s). The Anfield crowd really is an enigma. The right one certainly turned up yesterday and it helped our players immensely. If they turn up again the Villareal players could be washed away by it.