Liverpool vs Villarreal: Top 3 classic matches ahead of Anfield clash
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Rush The Kop or go back to LFC Live.
The Reds are back in action on Tuesday against Villarreal for MD3 in the Champions League.Following the away win at the Gtech against Brentford Iraola's side will be full of confidence and largely full strength, so a good performance will be expected.These two sides have come up against each other a total of four times, with Liverpool winning three of those and Villarreal's last win coming in 2016.We've chosen our top three so let's take a blast into the past and remind you of the Reds' victories.3 - Liverpool 3-0 Villarreal (2016)Jugen Klopp's first season with Liverpool, Europa League, Bobby dazzler's majestic turn. Have we jogged your memory now?The Reds needed the second leg to get past El Submarino Amarillo (The Yellow Submarine) after being 1-0 down from the first leg.Bruno Soriano's own goal levelled proceedings early into the tie, before goals from Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana made sure the Reds progressed into the Europa League final.The win meant Klopp had lead the Reds into two cup finals after just seven months at Liverpool.
2 - Liverpool 2-0 Villarreal (2022)Are Villarreal Liverpool's 'good' luck charm in European competitions? When the Reds have faced them in the season they have reached the final twice.The trophy eluded the Reds both times, so perhaps this is a grasping at straws moment.Nonetheless, Klopp's Liverpool made it past the Spanish side with ease in the first leg in the Champions League semi-final, after an own-goal (again?) from Pervis Estupiñán and then Sadio Mané doubled the lead two minutes later.The Reds were relentless during the season, and made no mistakes at Anfield, with Thiago, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Mané propelling Liverpool to victory.
1 - Villarreal 2-3 Liverpool (2022)If the first leg was easy, the second was anything but. Villarreal threatened to spoil the Reds' party, and levelled the tie on aggregate in the first half, with goals from Boulaye Dia and Francis Coquelin which left Liverpool fans full of nerves.Klopp's side were frustrated in the first-half, having no shots on target and lacking ideas.But the introduction of Luis Diaz helped change the game.The Colombian came on for Diogo Jota and injected pace into Liverpool's attack.