Villarreal Insider Explains How Liverpool Maintain Perfect Champions League Record

Liverpool are back in Champions League action on Tuesday night when they face Villarreal at Anfield. The injury-hit Reds picked up a big win over Brentford in the Premier League over the weekend, coming from behind to secure a much-needed away win.

Their attention now turns back to the Champions League, where Liverpool have been reliable so far, winning both of their first two games. The Reds beat Austrian side LASK away from home last week, but they will face a stiffer test against the Yellow Submarine, who are fresh off their their first Champions League win since their 2022 quarter-final win that bagged them a semi-final with Liverpool in 2022.

Liverpool fans will remember the Villarreal given them quite the scare that year when they came from 2-0 down in the tie to go level at 2-2, but the Reds rallied to come away with a 5-2 aggregate win.

Villarreal qualified for their first Champions League since that campaign last season but went winless despite enjoying a successful LaLiga campaign, finishing third. So far this season, they have lost to Borussia Dortmund but beat Napoli at home last week.

Ahead of Tuesday night’s clash, here’s what Liverpool fans need to know about Villarreal with long-time Valencia-based Yellow Submarine fan Jamie Kemble.

How have Villarreal been playing this season?

Not great, to be honest. The Yellows were excellent in the league under Marcelino last season, but they couldn’t agree on a new contract and ultimately hired the up-and-coming Iñigo Perez, who did well with Rayo Vallecano, guiding them to the Conference League final.It hasn’t been overly comfortable for Perez so far. Villarreal have improved in the last few weeks, but it still feels like something is missing. Over the weekend, they drew with regional rivals Elche 0-0 and had enough chances to win two or three games, but they were all too casual despite needing a goal. That ruthless touch is lacking at the moment, and it comes from a complete change of style. Perez is a more ball-playing coach, while Villarreal played counter-attacking football under Marcelino, and they were ruthlessly direct with the ball. At the moment, you get the feeling a number of players are playing against their instinct having grown used to Marcelino ball.

Villarreal’s last five results

• Villarreal 0-0 Elche
• Villarreal 3-1 Napoli
• Real Madrid 1-0 Villarreal
• Villarreal 3-1 Levante
• Malaga 1-3 Villarreal

Key players like Tajon Buchanan and Nicolas Pepe were missing for the Elche game, but it was another disappointing result, of which there have been too many. Villarreal are currently 12th in the league and they are expecting a top four finish. I think the board will be patient, but Perez is going to be expected to improve the consistency in results quickly.

Having said that, it was a terrific performance against Napoli in the Champions League last week, and there is hope if that sort of performance can be replicated.

Which Villarreal players can hurt Liverpool?

REUTERS/Thomas Peter

Nicolas Pepe isn’t going to be back despite hopes of a return from injury. English football fans may have a certain memory of Pepe, but I maintain that his numbers were not that poor for Arsenal, and his so-called failures there were conditioned by the fee that was paid for him. In any case, since leaving Arsenal, Pepe has been excellent, and he has been so dangerous for Villarreal.

Liverpool have had injury issues at full-back this season, and Pepe is the sort of player who could have punish that. Instead it may be up to the returning Tajon Buchanan to deliver on that side, and while not as quick, he has a real knack for getting to the byline.

Elsewhere, Georges Mikautadze has elite quality, even if he is lacking elite consistency. The boy can score from anywhere and beat an player on his day. He is a technically wonderful player, but the challenge is finding him space or playing the right ball in behind.

Alberto Moleiro is another one to throw in. He has been a superb replacement for World Cup winner Alex Baena, and he is a very similar kind of player. He will pick up the ball between the lines, has an instinct for a through ball and can contribute with goals of his own.

Which Villarreal players can Liverpool exploit?

Pape Gueye should come back into the midfield, so I don’t think the midfield will be an issue as it has been at times. Liverpool will find joy against the back line if they can apply consistent pressure. Sergi Cardona hasn’t been at his best this season, and Carlos Romero could come in there. Alex Freeman has done well on the right, but he doesn’t have much experience against elite wingers, so Liverpool need to put that to the test.

In the middle of defence, Villarreal have struggled for consistency and to find the right partner for Juan Foyth. Renato Veiga has been patchy at best and certainly has a mistake in his locker. Liverpool need to put Alexander Isak on whoever Foyth’s defensive partner is if they want success through the middle.