Liverpool vs Villarreal LIVE: Champions League result, final score and reaction as Reds have one foot in final

Liverpool continue their charge towards an unprecedented quadruple as they host Villarreal in the Champions League semi-finals tonight. Having already lifted the Carabao Cup this term, the Reds go hunting for European glory against an underdog Spanish side that bites.

The Europa League champions are seventh in La Liga this season but are more than capable of causing upsets in cup competitions as Unai Emery’s team have already knocked Juventus and Bayern Munich out of this tournament. For their part, Liverpool have seen off Inter Milan and Benfica in the knockout stages having previously won all six of their group stage matches - a first time feat for an English team in the Champions League.

The continued fight to win the Premier League title also means Jurgen Klopp faces more decisions over how best to rotate his side, particularly the attack, knowing that Liverpool cannot afford to drop points on the domestic front. It could well be that the Reds’ greater array of attacking talent proves to be the deciding factor over these two legs, but that will in part rely on Klopp finding the right team to win on home soil after Liverpool failed to beat either of their previous two Champions League opponents in the Anfield leg.

Whichever team trimuphs in this tie will face Real Madrid or Manchester City in the final with City carrying a slender advantage into their second leg having won 4-3 at the Etihad Stadium last night. Follow all the action from Liverpool vs Villarreal’s clash right here:

Liverpool vs Villarreal Champions League updates

• 55’ - GOAL! Mane slots in neatly to double the lead (2-0)

• 53’ - GOAL! Henderson’s cross deflects beyond Rulli (1-0)

• 41’ - POST! Thiago hammers the post with a piledriver (0-0)

• Winner will play either Man City or Real Madrid in final

Liverpool FC 2 - 0 Villarreal CF

Liverpool 2 - 0 Villarreal

21:47 , Michael Jones

90 mins: Two minutes of added time to play to play at Anfield. Will we see another goal?

Liverpool 2 - 0 Villarreal

21:45 , Michael Jones

86 mins: Striker Paco Alcacer comes on for Villarreal replacing Arnaut Danjuma. It’s Unai Emery’s las throw of the dice to get something out of this game. Will he have an impact for the visitors?

Liverpool 2 - 0 Villarreal

21:39 , Michael Jones

83 mins: Joe Gomez and Divock Origi get the chance for a run out over the last 10 minutes or so as Trent Alexander-Arnold and Luis Diaz are subbed off.

Liverpool 2 - 0 Villarreal

21:36 , Michael Jones

80 mins: Luis Diaz is sent into the left side of the box and carries the ball towards goal. He’s closed down but not before he can get off a shot that flies wide of the back post.

Liverpool 2 - 0 Villarreal

21:34 , Michael Jones

76 mins: Liverpool have just dropped off a touch and aren’t pressing as forcefully as they have been. That’s allowing Villarreal to challenge for possession further up the pitch which in turn leaves some room in behind on the wider areas that Liverpool haven’t yet managed to exploit.

Liverpool 2 - 0 Villarreal

21:31 , Michael Jones

73 mins: There’s a couple of changes from Jurgen Klopp as Sadio Mane and Jordan Henderson are replaced with Diogo Jota an Naby Keita.

Unair Emery also switches things up as Boulaye Dia, Manu Trigueros, Serge Aurier and Alfonso Pedraza are brought on. Pervis Estupinan, Samuel Chukwueze, Dani Parejo and Francis Coquelin are the men replaced.

Liverpool 2 - 0 Villarreal

21:29 , Michael Jones

70 mins: Andy Robertson’s inswinging corner is headed out at the near post and drop to Alexander-Arnold who flicks it back into the box. Rulli comes out to clear it but Diaz beats him to the ball. He’s forced wide and decides to pull it back into the middle of the box where Raul Albiol boots it away.

Liverpool 2 - 0 Villarreal

21:25 , Michael Jones

67 mins: Chance! Virgil van Dijk receives the ball miles out from goal and is encouraged to shoot but the Liverpool crowd. He does and laces his effort brilliantly towards goal. There must have been some swerve on the effort as Rulli almost makes a mess of things but manages to punch it away.

Liverpool 2 - 0 Villarreal

21:22 , Michael Jones

64 mins: Disallowed goal! Trent Alexander-Arnold has dropped slightly deeper in this half and is seeing a lot more of the ball in space to operate. He flicks a first time cross into the box this time and finds Andy Robertson over near the far post. Robertson turns the ball into the back of the net but he’s flagged offside.

Liverpool 2 - 0 Villarreal

21:18 , Michael Jones

59 mins: Mo Salah drives into the box from the right side and meets Pau Torres. Torres grabs hold of his shirt, up near the throat and Salah goes to ground looking for a penalty.

The referee isn’t interested though.

GOAL! Liverpool 2 - 0 Villarreal (Mane, 55’)⚽️

21:13 , Michael Jones

55 mins: It’s a different game now! Two goals in two minutes gives Liverpool daylight in the semi-final. Salah brings the ball inside and gives it toMane who knocks it back to Henderson. Henderson gives it to Alexander-Arnold on the inside right who threads the ball back to Salah. Salah pokes it into the box, Mane keeps himself onside before getting to the ball first and prodding it past Rulli to double Liverpool’s lead!

GOAL! Liverpool 1 - 0 Villarreal (Henderson, 53’)⚽️

21:11 , Michael Jones

53 mins: Liverpool have the breakthrough! Sadio Mane brings the ball along the front edge of the box and lays it off to Jordan Henderson. He gives it to Mo Salah an makes an overlapping run down the right side. Salah slots the ball back to him and his cross hits Estupinan and deflects over the head of Rulli to nestle in the back of the net!

Liverpool 0 - 0 Villarreal

21:10 , Michael Jones

52 mins: Chance! Alexander-Arnold feeds the ball up to Mane on the edge of the box but he’s got nowhere to go. Instead he rolls it back to the right-back who curls the ball into the box and finds Luis Diaz. He heds it towards goal but sends it straight at Rulli.

Liverpool 0 - 0 Villarreal

21:08 , Michael Jones

51 mins: Disallowed goal! Liverpool finally get the ball in the back of the net but it won’t count. Alexander-Arnold swings a corner into the box and finds Mane who nods it into the six-yard area to Van Dijk. He heads it across to Fabinho who turns it into the goal only to see the offside flag go up.

The replays show Van Dijk was offside in the build-up.

Liverpool 0 - 0 Villarreal

21:04 , Michael Jones

48 mins: Estupinan picks up a yellow card for Villarreal after tripping Mo Salah up on the the right edge of the visitor’s box. The free kick gets swung in but Raul Albiol is on hand to head it away.

Second half: Liverpool 0 - 0 Villarreal

21:03 , Michael Jones

Kick off: Villarreal get the match back underway. Out of Liverpool’s 54 games this season they have only failed to score in four of them. Will that become five tonight?

Close! Mo Salah sends an early ball into the box and Pau Torres tries to deal with it with a glancing header. He only manages to guide the ball back to his own goal and luckily Geronimo Rulli clings on to it.

Liverpool 0 - 0 Villarreal

21:01 , Michael Jones

Will Jurgen Klopp make any changes to try and break down Villarreal? Will Unai Emery’s team extend themselves further up the pitch or will they settle for a draw at Anfield?

Liverpool 0 - 0 Villarreal

20:54 , Michael Jones

12 shots but only two on target.

Liverpool vs Villarreal

20:51 , Michael Jones

A frustrating 45 minutes for Liverpool. Can they break the deadlock in the second half?

Half-time: Liverpool 0 - 0 Villarreal

20:47 , Michael Jones

45+1 mins: Nothing to separate the teams at the break. It’s been tough going for Liverpool who haven’t been able to break down the solid defence of Villarreal. In truth the visitors haven’t offered much going forward and Liverpool will believe a goal or two in the second half could give them a foot in the Champions League final.

Liverpool 0 - 0 Villarreal

20:45 , Michael Jones

42 mins: A rare attack for the visitors sees them work the ball up to Samuel Chukwueze who sprints into the vacant space left behind by Alexander-Arnold.

Ibrahima Konate is rapidly across to nick the ball off the winger and get the attack short before it truly got started,

Thiago then gets forward for Liverpool and blasts an effort from range beating Rulli and rattling against the frame of the goal.

Liverpool 0 - 0 Villarreal

20:40 , Michael Jones

39 mins: Diaz can’t find a way into the box from the left so brings the ball inside and lays it off to Konate. Konate chips the ball into the box and Rulli confidently comes off his line to punch the ball clear.

There’s no way through Villarreal for Liverpool. The Reds have had 12 attempts already compared to the visitors nil.

Liverpool 0 - 0 Villarreal

20:35 , Michael Jones

36 mins: Chance! Luis Diaz feeds the ball up to Sadio Mane just inside the ‘D’ on the edge of Villarreal’s box. Mane takes a touch to control the ball then shoots on the turn. He strikes it well but Raul Albiol gets a leg to the ball and deflects it wide of the left-hand post.

Liverpool 0 - 0 Villarreal

20:33 , Michael Jones

33 mins: How can Villarreal keep defending like this? Liverpool are putting so much pressure on their back line. Mo Salah is given the ball out wide and darts into the box before curling a pass into the six yard area. Sadio Mane is arriving but Raul Albiol gets there ahead of him and clears the danger.

Liverpool 0 - 0 Villarreal

20:31 , Michael Jones

30 mins: Trent Alexander-Arnold is brought down just outside the Villarreal box and wins a free kick in shooting range for Liverpool. He fancies taking it himself and smokes his shot right into the wall.

Liverpool 0 - 0 Villarreal

20:28 , Michael Jones

27 mins: Chance! Sadio Mane controls the ball inside the box and lays it off well to Mo Salah. He runs onto it from his position on the right side and guides a curling left-footed shot just over the crossbar!

That’s Salah’s first sight of goal and he wasn’t best pleased with his own effort.

Liverpool 0 - 0 Villarreal

20:25 , Michael Jones

24 mins: Another corner to Liverpool after Alexander-Arnold’s cross is deflected behind by Francis Coquelin. The Liverpool right-back whips the ball into the middle but Coquelin goes down under pressure from Sadio Mane and the game gets stopped.

Liverpool 0 - 0 Villarreal

20:23 , Michael Jones

21 mins: Thiago brings the ball down the inside left channel and looks to thread a pass into the box. Dani Parejo blocks it and there’s a loud shout for handball but he didn’t know a great deal about it and the referee plays on.

Liverpool come again with Jordan Henderson getting forward on the right wing off the ball. Thiago floats a diagonal pass over to him that the Liverpool captain meets on the volley and sidefoots into the near post!

Liverpool 0 - 0 Villarreal

20:19 , Michael Jones

17 mins: Jordan Henderson pushes up the pitch and tackles Pervis Estupinan knocking the ball out of play off the Villarreal defender. The assistant referee signals for a throw in to the visitors and Henderson isn’t pleased with the decision. He vents his frustration and gets a telling off by the referee.

Liverpool 0 - 0 Villarreal

20:16 , Michael Jones

14 mins: Liverpool mount the pressure on Villarreal as Pervis Estupinan is pressed deep in his own half. His clearance comes to Andy Robertson who fizzes it back into the box and wins a corner for the Reds.

Liverpool 0 - 0 Villarreal

20:14 , Michael Jones

11 mins: Chance! A Villarreal throw in is won by Trent Alexander-Arnold who nods it up to Jordan Henderson. He flicks the ball on to Sadio Mane who passes it out wide to Mo Salah before making a run into the box. Salah brings the ball down thw right wing, cuts inside and floats a cross into the box perfectly picking out Mane. Mane keeps himself onside but messes up his headed chance and parries it wide of goal.

Liverpool 0 - 0 Villarreal

20:09 , Michael Jones

8 mins: Chance! Liverpool win a corner that Andy Robertson swings into the middle of the box. Ibrahima Konate leaps over everyone else and nods the ball down to Sadio Mane. The ball hits Mane’s right leg and rolls away from the striker before he can turn it towards goal.

Liverpool 0 - 0 Villarreal

20:06 , Michael Jones

6 mins: Thiago Alcantara fires a long diagonal ball over to Mo Salah playing the forward into the right side of the box. Salah sprints into the box and tries to bring the ball down with his first touch but it rolls away from him and goes out for a goal kick.

Liverpool 0 - 0 Villarreal

20:03 , Michael Jones

3 mins: Andy Robertson gets forward on the left for Liverpool and plays a one-two with Luis Diaz to sneak in behind the Villarreal right-back. He chases the ball to the byline but can’t keep it alive.

Kick off: Liverpool 0 - 0 Villarreal

20:01 , Michael Jones

Liverpool kick off the game and pass the ball back to Ibrahima Konate who boots it down the left wing. The Reds are attacking the Kop during this first half. Can they give the fans something to celebrate?

Liverpool vs Villarreal

19:56 , Michael Jones

‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ rings out around Anfield. The anticipation is building nicely inside the stadium. Here come the players.

Liverpool vs Villarreal

19:51 , Michael Jones

The stage is set.

Reclaiming a regular place among European royalty is Liverpool’s greatest proof of progress

19:46 , Michael Jones

It is scarcely difficult to find signs of the transformation of Liverpool in the Jurgen Klopp years. There is the gleaming new training ground and Anfield’s giant Main Stand, visible across much of the Liverpool skyline, in which the German is talking. There is the team which Pep Guardiola has described as one of the best in history.

But another eluded even Klopp, the architect of their success. Now Liverpool’s season could be judged in the context of a possible, and unprecedented, quadruple. Rewind a few years and a top-four finish represented a triumphant campaign in itself. And yet when Liverpool booked their spot in next season’s Champions League, Klopp did not realise.

“We did it two games ago after the Manchester United game and it slipped through my fingers, which has never happened before in my life,” he reflected. “Usually we really celebrate that.”

Reclaiming place as European royalty is Liverpool’s greatest proof of progress

Liverpool vs Villarreal

19:43 , Michael Jones

Just over 15 minutes to go until kick off. How will Liverpool fare tonight?

Can Villarreal win the Champions League?

19:40 , Michael Jones

Unai Emery led the Yellow Submarine to Europa League glory last season which was Villarreal’s first major honour, and the fourth time he himself had got his hands on the famous trophy, after lifting it in three successive campaigns with Sevilla.

Can he add a UEFA Champions League winners’ medal to his burgeoning collection?

Why Villarreal’s key to victory is drawing Liverpool into a tactical game of chess

19:37 , Michael Jones

As Jurgen Klopp talks about “needing the atmosphere” of Liverpool’s last Champions League semi-final, that famous night against Barcelona in 2019, the opposition are enjoying an excitement unique to Villarreal.

It is that rare thrill that can only come with rare appearances in a fixture like this. There’s nothing like it. It’s what the Champions League should really be about, that sense of something really special rather than routine.

And then the game will start. The strong likelihood is that, if Liverpool don’t blow Villarreal away, they will be drawn into a methodical tactical matrix. It could well be a tedious game, far removed from the rampaging drama of recent Champions League semi-finals. This is what Unai Emery does, and does so well, to the frustration of so many European opponents. Klopp knows it well from the 2016 Europa League final against Seville.

Villarreal’s key to victory is drawing Liverpool into a game of chess

Liverpool vs Villarreal

19:34 , Michael Jones

Victory for Jurgen Klopp’s side will see them equal the club record of 43 wins in a season, set in 2019-20 (including penalty shootout victories).

Villarreal have won four of their last five away matches in European competition. They have met English teams on 21 previous occasions, winning six times, with seven draws and eight defeats.

Liverpool vs Villarreal

19:31 , Michael Jones

Alisson Becker has played every minute of Liverpool’s European campaign so far this season.

Can Konate score again?

19:28 , Michael Jones

Ibrahima Konate could become the first Liverpool defender in history to score in three successive European games. In the home leg against Benfica earlier this month, he became only the fourth Red ever to net his opening two goals for the club in European competition.

Unai Emery admits Villarreal have lost ‘surprise factor’ ahead of Liverpool clash

19:25 , Michael Jones

Villarreal manager Unai Emery admits they have lost the element of surprise going into their Champions League semi-final first leg against Liverpool at Anfield.

Few expected the seventh-placed LaLiga side to get past Juventus and Bayern Munich in the knockout stages to reach the last four.

Emery admits the chances of Liverpool not taking them seriously are slim but he hopes to “surf the wave” of success which started when they won the Europa League last season.

Unai Emery admits Villarreal have lost ‘surprise factor’ ahead of Liverpool clash

Liverpool vs Villarreal

19:22 , Michael Jones

Liverpool have lost only two semi-finals in the Champions League – to Internazionale in 1965 and Chelsea in 2008.

The Reds have lost only one European semi-final at Anfield – to Leeds United in the 1971 Fairs Cup – winning 15 and drawing three of the other 18.

Since that loss, they are unbeaten in 16 at this stage at home, winning 13.

Klopp on the possibility of winning the quadruple

19:18 , Michael Jones

Jurgen Klopp has said that quadruple-chasing Liverpool’s focus is solely on the Champions League semi-final and Villarreal:

"We don’t have to talk about other competitions today because our focus is on Villarreal and the semis. It’s special. It’s crazy, a massive game.

"So many coaches and players work their socks off their whole lives and have no chance to be close to this. We have to cherish it and enjoy it."

Liverpool vs Villarreal

19:17 , Michael Jones

Jürgen Klopp’s side have won eight of their 10 Champions League games this season.

Liverpool have now reached their 12th European Cup semi-final, which has equalled the British record. The Reds have gone on to the final on nine of those 12 occasions.

Henderson remembers Basel

19:14 , Michael Jones

Jordan Henderson spoke about losing the 2016 Europa League final to Unai Emery’s Sevilla in what was Jurgen Klopp’s first season in charge of Liverpool.

Henderson was on the bench that night and explained how it felt to lose that final.

"That night always sticks out for me because after the game, going back to the hotel, all the lads were disappointed and you just wanted to go back to your room and get your head down," he said.

"The gaffer was a bit different to what you’d expect. He had everyone down in the bar area. I felt he knew that this was the start of something special to come.

"It was very difficult to think that then, having just lost a final, but I always felt he knew what was coming in the next few years. He has proven that was the beginning of something special."

Jurgen Klopp knows better than to underestimate Unai Emery

19:10 , Michael Jones

The first time Jurgen Klopp went head-to-head with Unai Emery, it was a chastening experience for the German. The two men face off again tonight when Liverpool host Villarreal in the Champions League semi-final at Anfield.

The Merseyside club are the favourites to advance to the final in Paris but Klopp’s experience in another European showpiece game will make him wary of any team managed by his Spanish counterpart.

Emery was in charge of Seville in the Europa League final six years ago. It was the last game of Klopp’s first season at Anfield. As well as a trophy, the prize was qualification for the Champions League. Any chance of finishing in the top four in the Premier League slipped away in the final month of the campaign as Liverpool stumbled to eighth place.

Nevertheless, the mood was upbeat in Basel for the final. The general feeling among English-speaking pundits was that Klopp’s side had the advantage. That belief appeared justified when Daniel Sturridge scored a splendid goal to put Liverpool in front at the break.

But the second half was arguably Klopp’s lowest point as Liverpool manager.

Jurgen Klopp knows better than to underestimate Unai Emery

Liverpool vs Villarreal

19:06 , Michael Jones

The Reds have arrived at Anfield.

Liverpool vs Villarreal

19:03 , Michael Jones

This is the second time the two clubs have been drawn together in European competition – the first came in the 2016 Europa League semi-final, with Liverpool winning 3-1 on aggregate.

Liverpool went on to lose the final 3-1 in Basel to a Sevilla side managed by current Villarreal head coach Unai Emery. Four players remain at Anfield from the 18-man squad that evening – Roberto Firmino, Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Divock Origi.

Klopp on facing Villarreal

19:00 , Michael Jones

Jurgen Klopp says he will be underestimate Villarreal despite Liverpool coming into this semi-final as heavy favourites to reach the final.

"We face a very difficult opponent. They are made for the competition, the way they set-up is really good," the German said.

"There might have been a little advantage in their last two games where Juventus or maybe Bayern Munich might have underestimated them - but that will never happen to us, especially after these four games, there’s no chance anymore.

"They are a really good football team who obviously want to be a part of the final but it’s the same importance for us."

‘Anfield is hell’: Villarreal’s Etienne Capoue knows what to expect from Liverpool tie

18:57 , Michael Jones

Villarreal’s Etienne Capoue says Anfield will be “hell” when his club take on Liverpool in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie on Wednesday evening.

Capoue has plenty of experience of playing at the home of Livepool as he previously competed for Tottenham and Watford. He said the ground is horrible for away teams, with the fans creating a difficult atmosphere for the entire match.

“Anfield is hell, you have to say it how it is. It’s hell,” Capoue said per AFP. “It’s the worst stadium I’ve been to in England. Whether it’s the atmosphere, the way they play... For 90 minutes, you live in hell.”

Etienne Capoue warns Villarreal teammates of Anfield ‘hell’ ahead of Liverpool tie

Liverpool vs Villarreal

18:54 , Michael Jones

Villarreal have reached the last four of the Champions League for the first time since the 2005/06 season, when they lost 1-0 on aggregate to Arsenal – with Kolo Touré’s goal the only thing that separated the sides.

This is only Villarreal’s second time in the semi-finals of the Champions League while Liverpool have reached this stage of the competition for the 12th occasion overall – and for the third time in five seasons.

Liverpool vs Villarreal

18:51 , Michael Jones

Liverpool have progressed in nine of their last ten Champions League semi-final ties – the exception being a 4-3 aggregate loss to Chelsea back in 2007/08.

Liverpool vs Villarreal team changes

18:47 , Michael Jones

Jurgen Klopp makes three changes to the Liverpool line-up that faced Everton last time out. Joel Matip, Naby Keita and Diogo Jota are out with Ibrahima Konate, Jordan Henderson and Luis Diaz brought in.

There are also three changes for Unai Emery’s Villarreal. Pau Torres, Samu Chukwueze and Giovani Lo Celso come in to replace Aissa Mandi, Yeremy Pino and Manu Trigueros.

Liverpool vs Villarreal line-ups

18:43 , Michael Jones

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago Alcantara, Salah, Mane, Diaz

Villarreal XI: Rulli, Foyth, Albiol, Torres, Estupinan, Chukwueze, Parejo, Capoue, Coquelin, Danjuma, Lo Celso

Liverpool vs Villarreal

18:40 , Michael Jones

The visiting fans are ready for Anfield.

More from Emery

18:35 , Michael Jones

Unai Emery has taken Villarreal to historic heights after winning the Europa League last season in what was the club’s first ever European trophy.

He is on the verge of more history if the club can get past Liverpool in this two-legged semi-final. He spoke about what it means to be a part of Villarreal at this time saying:

“Villarreal’s story is a sports miracle, but one achieved through stability. [President] Fernando Roig gave structure with the stadium he has renovated, which is something he will continue to do and that’s proof of his stability.

“This is a long-term project which proves the credibility and stability of a first-division team, one that plays in and has won a title in Europe, earning respect. We are a big club in a small town.”

Emery on facing Liverpool

18:30 , Michael Jones

Villarreal’s coach, Unai Emery, spoke about what it’s like to come up against Liverpool.

“Any side that is in a Champions League semi-final is there because they deserve to be.” he said, “Liverpool know we have a great European presence, that we have been able to eliminate two great teams [in Juventus and Bayern]. They know it won’t be easy.

“They will feel like favourites, of course, but will have respect for us. This is the best Liverpool side that I have seen. I see that as an additional motivation: to try and beat the best-ever Liverpool.”

Liverpool achieved ‘very special’ things under Klopp says Henderson

18:25 , Michael Jones

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has said that what the team has achieved under manager Jurgen Klopp so far is "very special" but that there is "still a long way to go" as they bid to win the quadruple.

"I know how quickly football can change.” he said, “People talk about the things we can win but we know [if we have] a couple of bad games it can all be over,

"It’s about keeping focus on the next game, the next challenge - whatever the competition - and see where we are at the end of the season."

Sadio Mane reveals how Liverpool help Muslim players during Ramadan

18:20 , Michael Jones

Sadio Mane has spoken about how Liverpool have supported their Muslim players throughout Ramadan.

Ramadan is an event in the Islamic calendar where Muslims do not eat during daylight hours. Mane says it is difficult to do when a football player due to the demands of training and different kick-off times on game days. But he said players spoke to senior people at the club ahead of when it started on 1st April.

“It’s not easy because playing and training and doing Ramadan isn’t easy at all,” he told beIN Sports. “But before Ramadan we tried to talk to the captain and to tell the boss maybe can we change the schedule?”

Sadio Mane reveals how Liverpool help Muslim players during Ramadan

‘Every game should feel like a final’ says Klopp

18:10 , Michael Jones

Jurgen Klopp said it is "special" for Liverpool to be preparing for a Champions League semi-final against Villarreal as they continue to battle on three fronts in the hopes of winning the quadruple this year.

It is the third time in five seasons Klopp has led Liverpool to the last four of Europe’s elite competition and Klopp wants his players to relish the occassion.

"Each game should feel like a final," he said, "It is absolutely special to be a part of the semi-final, it’s crazy. It’s a massive game. So many coaches and players work their socks off their whole life and don’t get a chance to be close to a semi-final.

"We are there so we have to cherish it and enjoy it as well."

Jurgen Klopp on Roberto Firmino

18:05 , Michael Jones

Jurgen Klopp says that Roberto Firmino isn’t likely to feature in tonight’s Champions League semi-final as the forward continues to recovery from a foot problem.

“I don’t think [he is ready] yet,” Klopp told Liverpoolfc.com on Tuesday. “He is running outside and that’s good, obviously, but I am not sure.

“Maybe somebody will surprise me afterwards and tell me, ‘Yes, Bobby is in.’ [I will have] open arms, but I don’t think so. Apart from that, no [new injuries] that I know yet.”

Early team news for Liverpool vs Villarreal

18:00 , Michael Jones

Roberto Firmino has missed Liverpool’s last two matches with a foot injury and looks set to miss out on tonight’s semi-final encounter despite edging closer to a return to full training.

There are no further injury concerns for Liverpool.

For Villarreal, Yeremy Pino has been ruled out due to injury and forward Gerard Moreno will be monitored as he recovers from a hamstring issue.

Former Liverpool left-back Alberto Moreno is unavailable after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in early March but Francis Coquelin has trained as normal and could feature.

Liverpool vs Villarreal

17:31 , Michael Jones

Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of Liverpool’s Champions League semi-final first leg against Villarreal. Tonight’s clash is being played at Anfield and Jurgen Klopp’s men will be hoping to earn an advantage in this tie.

Liverpool have not won at home against their last two Champions League opponents but are still the favourites to progress from this semi-final. To reach this stage the Reds knocked out Inter Milan and Benfica in the knockout stages whilst Unai Emery’s Villarreal defeated Juventus and Bayern Munich.

This is the third time in five seasons Klopp has led Liverpool to the last four of Europe’s elite competition and the Reds remain in contention to win the quadruple this season having lifted the Carabao Cup, reached the final of the FA Cup and are just one point off the top of the Premier League table.

If they get past Villarreal, they’ll face either Real Madrid or Manchester City in the Champions League final.