Following their dramatic comeback against Borussia Dortmund at Anfield last week, Liverpool will face Villarreal full of confidence on April 28.
The Reds followed up their victory over the Bundesliga giants, with emphatic victories over Stoke City and Everton, and they do not appear fazed by their trip to La Madrigal next week.
Manager Jurgen Klopp has instilled a steely resolve into the team, particularly in Europe, however a trip to Castellon is likely his toughest test so far in England.
THE FORM
Villarreal are flying high in La Liga this season, and are set for Champions League qualification in fourth place, behind Spain’s Big Three.
They have stuttered a little of late, suffering back-to-back away defeats at Rayo Vallecano and Real Madrid. However they easily disposed of Sparta Prague over two legs in the previous round of the Europa League.
With just two home defeats in 2016, and victories over both Real and Atletico Madrid at La Madrigal this season, they will test Liverpool’s credentials to the full.
KEY MEN
Defensively they generally strong, conceding just five goals in eleven home games since the turn of the year, however they have been more porous in recent weeks.
Victor Ruiz is the base at the centre of defence, with Spanish international Mario Gaspar at right back. Gaspar’s raids forward from full back are a big feature of Villarreal’s play, and Liverpool will need to play close attention to him.
Former Barcelona pair Denis Suarez and Jonathan dos Santos are the men to watch out for in midfield. Neither quite established themselves at the Nou Camp, but they are proving invaluable further down the coast at Villarreal.
Dos Santos operates very efficiently as a holding midfielder, effective in possession and a tough tackler. Suarez offers the creativity further forward, and is Villarreal’s main set piece taker.
However much of Liverpool’s pre-game focus will be on striker Cedric Bakambu, and rightly so, the Congo international has nine Europa League goals this season.
He has fantastic acceleration and likes to strike from distance, so whole Liverpool defensive unit will need to be on guard to his threat.
In attack Bakambu is likely to be supported by former Tottenham striker Roberto Soldado and Samu Castillejo, as part of a pacy Villarreal attack.
ANALYSIS
Whilst Liverpool have been on something of an upward performance curve in the Europa League this season, Villarreal will be a real test of their defensive capabilities.
Nulifying Bakambu is key, as he is in red hot form Europa League form, but stopping him starts with disrupting his supply.
With Emre Can absent through injury, there is a big focus on James Milner and Lucas Leiva/Joe Allen from preventing Villarreal gaining a foothold in midfield.
Defensively they are a little vulnerable of late, having shipped seven goals in their last three games. The goals have generally come from the full backs being attacked with pace and the central defenders not react to loose balls in the area.
With this in mind, including the likes of Jordon Ibe and Sheyi Ojo in the travelling squad looks like a must. Also given the potential lack of decisiveness in the Yellow Submarine defence, a sharp Daniel Sturridge could be on hand to profit.