Liverpool chase a third straight Champions League win against Villarreal, coached by Andoni Iraola’s close friend Inigo Perez.
Liverpool (1.46) host Villarreal (6.20) at Anfield on Tuesday in matchday three of the Champions League group stage. The Reds sit fifth with six points, while the Spanish visitors are 14th with three.
Liverpool Find Their Rhythm
Liverpool beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 on matchday one and won 6-3 at LASK. They lost 3-0 to Manchester City (1.14) in between, but City had a man more for the last 30 minutes. They responded with a 2-1 win at Brentford on Saturday. Alexander Isak scored the winner on his return from a thigh injury.
Liverpool have now won six of their last eight games in all competitions. They have won their last five matches against Spanish clubs. They have also won seven straight league-phase or group games against Spanish teams. Anfield has been less friendly this season. Liverpool have won two, drawn two and lost one of their five home games.
Injuries Force Changes
Dominik Szoboszlai and Jeremie Frimpong both picked up muscle injuries at Brentford (1.76) and will miss the match. Ryan Gravenberch returns from suspension and should replace Szoboszlai alongside Alexis Mac Allister. Isak, Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola could form the front line. Cody Gakpo may start on the right after a place on the bench at Brentford.
Iraola has criticised nobody, but he faces a tricky selection. Villarreal will miss Nicolas Pepe and Tajon Buchanan. Georges Mikautadze is certain to start after scoring against Napoli. Pape Gueye and Santi Comesana are expected to form a double pivot. Luiz Junior should start in goal.
Villarreal’s Mixed Start
Villarreal started the season badly under Perez. They went six games without a win, lost four times and lost to Borussia Dortmund on matchday one. They have since won four matches, including a 3-1 win over Napoli. That ended a run of seven straight Champions League defeats. A goalless draw at Elche on Saturday left them 12th in La Liga.
Their away form worries them. They have won only one of six away games this season. They have not kept a clean sheet in 13 Champions League matches. They have never beaten an English club in the Champions League proper, drawing six and losing 10. Their last visit to Tottenham ended in a 1-0 defeat.
A Friendship And A Prediction
Iraola and Perez know each other well. They played together at Athletic Club and later worked together at Rayo Vallecano (1.77). Perez almost followed Iraola to Bournemouth (2.12) before a work permit problem stopped it.
“For me it is a special game because Inigo is my friend,” Iraola said.
He added that Perez knows him and his tactics well. That familiarity could make the match tight. Liverpool have still improved considerably, and Anfield should give them an edge. They have scored twice or more in 13 of their last 15 group or league-phase games at home.
Prediction: Liverpool 2-0 Villarreal.
