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Villarreal logo
Champions League | Semi-Finals | 2nd Leg
May 3, 2022 at 8pm UK
Estadio de la Cerámica
Liverpool logo

Villarreal
2 - 3
Liverpool

Dia (3'), Coquelin (41')
Capoue (63'), Lo Celso (81'), Torres (85')
Capoue (86')
FT(HT: 2-0)
Fabinho (62'), Diaz (67'), Mane (74')
Alexander-Arnold (77')

Jurgen Klopp: "Exceptional" Liverpool may not get another semi-final chance

Jurgen Klopp:
© Reuters
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp warns his players that they may never get another chance in the Champions League semi-finals ahead of Tuesday's clash with Villarreal.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has issued a rallying cry to his players ahead of Tuesday's Champions League semi-final second leg with Villarreal at La Ceramica.

The Reds had to be patient for the breakthrough against Unai Emery's men in the first leg at Anfield, with the Yellow Submarine managing to get to half time at 0-0.

However, a relentless Liverpool side came storming out of the blocks in the second half to claim a 2-0 first-leg advantage through Pervis Estupinan's own goal and Sadio Mane's finish.

Emery warned Liverpool that they would "suffer" in the second leg, with Villarreal managing to avoid defeat against both Bayern Munich and Juventus on their own turf in this season's Champions League.

Klopp has now insisted that his players never know when their final appearance in a semi-final will come, with the German also keen to stress that the tie was not done and dusted at his pre-game press conference.

Unai Emery in charge of Villarreal in April 2022© Reuters

"If I was younger I'd have been really angry with the question! Of course, no. It's only half-time. We have to go there and try to win, knowing they will go with all they have," Klopp said when asked if Liverpool had already won the tie.

"You never know if we'll get another chance in a semi-final. We have an exceptional team but you need luck, so you had better treat it carefully and we will. If Villarreal beats us, congratulations and that's it.

"Maturity and experience is important but not the only decisive thing. Everything that we are is required tomorrow night. A Champions League semi-final is the second most important game you can play.

"We have to be ready to play a top, top game. They will try top lay much more football than we allowed them in the first game. Unai will sure try to adapt a few things. It will be really interesting. Maturity is important but not the only thing."

The Reds boss also issued a team news update after the club were affected by a sickness bug, which has struck down Curtis Jones, Kostas Tsimikas and Divock Origi in recent days.

Liverpool's Roberto Firmino is substituted after an injury on August 28, 2021© Reuters

Jones and Tsimikas were back on the bench against Newcastle United, and Origi should be fit to return in midweek, but Roberto Firmino's foot injury will render him unavailable once more.

"Bobby is now running. It wasn't serious but it was very painful with each step. He will travel with us but will not be involved tomorrow," Klopp added.

"We had a few issues with stomach bugs [Jones, Tsimikas and Origi] but they are all back now. That is it, no other concerns."

While Liverpool are only expected to make do without the injured Firmino, Emery has admitted that 16-goal attacker Arnaut Danjuma has not trained with the group and is at risk of missing out due to muscular discomfort.

Ex-Liverpool man Alberto Moreno is also absent from the squad due to his cruciate ligament rupture alongside Yeremi Pino, but striker Gerard Moreno has trained with the group and has a strong chance of playing on Tuesday.

Liverpool enter the second leg of their semi-final having progressed further than any other English side before in their bid for the quadruple, although the Premier League title remains out of their own hands as Manchester City sit one point clear at the top of the table.

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