Trainer Klopp warns Liverpool for Villarreal

Trainer Jürgen Klopp expects Liverpool to have to work fully on Tuesday evening during the return of the Champions League semi-final against Villarreal. “They will give everything,” he predicted at a press conference. “I never expected it to be easy. I still don’t have that feeling.”

Liverpool won their home game against Villarreal 2-0 last week. Pervis Estupiñán scored an own goal and Sadio Mane made it 2-0. “But they are able to play better than at Anfield,” said Klopp. “We’re really not there yet. It’s going to be very interesting.”

Villarreal was responsible for the elimination of Juventus and Bayern Munich from the Champions League earlier this season. Dutch attacker Arnaut Danjuma Groeneveld scored in the away game against Juventus and also scored during the home game against Bayern Munich.

Virgil van Dijk wants to win the Champions League with Liverpool for the second time this season. Trainer Klopp knows what the captain of the Dutch national team has in store for him, but he especially praised Thiago during the press conference. “He has been showing exceptionally good play in recent weeks,” he said of the Spanish midfielder. “In this form, he would excel with any team in the world.”

The other semi-final will be between Manchester City and Real Madrid on Wednesday. The Premier League leaders won the home game 4-3 last week.