Divock Origi
Liverpool beat Borussia Dortmund 5-4 on aggregate in the quarter-finals of the Europa League Getty

Villarreal will hope to continue their impressive home record and keep Liverpool at bay in the first leg of the Europa League semi-final at El Madrigal on 28 April.

Where to watch live

Kick-off is set for 8.05pm BST. The game will be broadcast live on BT Sport Europe.

Overview

Villarreal were held to a goalless draw at home by Real Sociedad at the weekend – a result that extended their winless run in La Liga to three matches. However, the Spanish side are unbeaten in 11 Europa League fixtures and have won all six of their home games in this season's competition.

Marcelino has no fresh injury concerns. Defensive duo Mateo Musacchio and Jaume Costa could both make returns from thigh injuries.

Liverpool's four-game winning run in all competitions came to an end as they were held to a 2-2 draw at home against Newcastle United on 23 April. The Merseysiders, who are meeting Villarreal for the first time in European competition, are yet to lose on their travels in the Europa League this season.

Christian Benteke, Emre Can, Joe Gomez, Jordan Henderson, Danny Ings and Divock Origi are all sidelined through injury for Liverpool. Centre-back Mamadou Sakho will also miss out after he failed a Uefa drug test.

What managers say

Marcelino: "It was a final and a key game [against Real Sociedad], and we let a great opportunity slip. The team were tired and had no spark. It cost us to defend, attack and do anything. We lost many duels and played many misplaced passes. They made the pitch big and made it difficult for us to press. They knew how to keep the ball and when we recovered it, we had no spark. We didn't do enough to win. We were neither good nor comfortable."

Jurgen Klopp: "I think we did really well in the first half. We were clearly the better team. Two shots on target [for Newcastle United], two goals. 2-2 feels not too good but we have to accept it. We did well in parts of the game. We can't think about this too much, we have to carry on."

Form guide

  • Villarreal (all competitions): DLLWW
  • Last result: Villarreal 0-0 Real Sociedad
  • Liverpool (all competitions): DWWWW
  • Last result: Liverpool 2-2 Newcastle United

Betting odds (Betfair)

  • Villarreal win: 6/4
  • Draw: 9/4
  • Liverpool win: 2/1

Team news

Villarreal possible XI: Asenjo; Gaspar, Bailly, Ruiz, Rukavina; Suarez, Trigueros, Bruno, Castillejo; Soldado, Bakambu

Liverpool possible XI: Mignolet; Clyne, Lovren, Toure, Moreno; Milner, Lucas; Lallana, Firmino, Coutinho; Sturridge

Liverpool FC