Anfield plays host to the first-leg of Liverpool’s Champions League semi-final tie with La Liga side Villarreal on Wednesday, as Jurgen Klopp aims to win the competition for the second time.

Klopp guided Liverpool to the trophy in 2019, beating Tottenham Hotspur in the final, and has masterminded a seamless passage into the semi-finals.

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They will face a valiant Villarreal side, who knocked out Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich in the previous round. Unai Emery is looking to win the Champions League for the very first time as a manager, but he does have incredible pedigree in European competition having won the Europa League on four separate occasions, including with Villarreal last year.

With the first leg at home, Liverpool will be looking to take a lead into the second-leg away in Spain, and Klopp will be able to go full strength with no huge injuries of note hampering his squad.

Roberto Firmino is the only doubt after he missed the Merseyside derby win due to a slight foot injury. Other than that, Klopp has a full selection of players to choose from.

After beating Benfica at the quarter-final stage, Liverpool head into another tie as heavy favourites and will expect to win at Anfield on Wednesday night.

Alisson Becker has been immense in goal once again this season and will be trusted again with the gloves for this game.

The back four has remained fairly consistent throughout the campaign, with the only change coming next to Virgil van Dijk. Joel Matip has been the preferred option in the Premier League, but Ibrahima Konate has played in the domestic and European cup competitions.

Konate will return against Villarreal, fresh from scoring in both legs of the quarter-final.

Fabinho and Thiago Alcantara are the two nailed-on starters in midfield, and will likely be joined by Jordan Henderson as Klopp looks for experience of big European nights at Anfield.

Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane will both start and, after being dropped to the bench against Everton, Luis Diaz will complete the frontline. Diogo Jota will be used as an option off the bench in case of emergency.

Liverpool’s Predicted XI vs Villarreal