Liverpool will lock horns with Villarreal at Anfield on Wednesday night, hoping to pick up a positive result in the first leg of the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League. The Reds will be heading into the game on the back of a tidy 2-0 victory over Everton, whereas the visitors recorded a similar 2-0 win against Valencia.
Team News
Roberto Firmino remains the only doubt for the midweek clash.
Jurgen Klopp will probably opt for the 4-3-3 formation with several tweaks from the last game. Jordan Henderson might get the nod over Naby Keita in midfield, whereas Luis Diaz looks likely to make his way back into the starting eleven.
4-3-3 Liverpool Predicted Lineup Vs Villarreal
Defence
Alisson Becker should operate between the sticks for the upcoming clash. The Brazilian shot-stopper would hope to put up a strong performance and secure a clean sheet on Wednesday.
Ibrahima Konate will form the centre-half partnership with Virgil van Dijk at the heart of Liverpool’s backline.
Andrew Robertson is a guaranteed starter at the left wing-back position, whereas Trent Alexander-Arnold will fill in on the other flank as the right wing-back. The full-backs will be expected to stretch their side’s attack in the opposition half.
Konstantinos Tsimikas will have to settle for a place on the bench, but he could be brought on in the latter stages of the game if needed.
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Midfield
Fabinho might start in the holding midfield position and could be assigned with more of a defensive role to shield the home side’s back-four.
Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara will slot into the central midfield roles. The duo would be determined to set up some clear-cut goal scoring chances for the front men.
Attack
Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah will take up the wide positions, playing on the left and right-wing, respectively.
Sadio Mane will lead the line against Villarreal in midweek. The Senegal international will be hoping to get his name on the scoresheet when he faces off against the defence that has conceded three goals in their last five matches across all competitions.
Diogo Jota could come off the bench in the second forty-five minutes of the match.
