Klopp calls for bravery from Liverpool as Villarreal ‘loom’
Sevilla continue treble quest vs Shakhtar
VILA-REAL, Spain, April 27, (AFP): Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp called for bravery from his players if they are to overcome Villarreal to reach the Europa League final and maintain their hopes of Champions League football next season.
Klopp’s men produced a sensational second-half comeback from 3-1 down to beat his old side Borussia Dortmund 4-3 at Anfield to reach the last four.
However, the German warned against complacency as, despite their lack of European pedigree compared to the English giants, Villarreal are enjoying a great season.
They sit fourth in La Liga behind perennial powerhouses Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.
“We have to play brave football,” Klopp told UEFA.com.
“We are now in the semi-finals. We got there because we deserved it, and now we have to show we are strong enough to go through.
“They are having a wonderful season, they are a wonderful club in a small city.
“It is clear there are a lot of smart people behind their success.”
Klopp will be without a number of players crucial to Liverpool’s upturn in fortunes over recent weeks.
French defender Mamadou Sakho didn’t travel to Spain on Wednesday as he awaits the result of a UEFA investigation into an alleged failed doping test.
Emre Can, Divock Origi and captain Jordan Henderson are also sidelined by injury.
The build-up to the game has been overshadowed by the ruling that the 96 Liverpool fans that died at the Hillsborough tragedy 27 years ago were unlawfully killed in the biggest inquest in English legal history.
Villarreal have announced they will mark the decision with a tribute to the victims before the game.
However, once the action gets underway, the Yellow Submarine are intent on causing an upset to reach their first ever Cup final.
“Maybe Liverpool could be considered favourites because of their history as a club,” said Villarreal coach Marcelino.
“But we don’t consider ourselves in any way inferior to them and we think we can beat a team as legendary as Liverpool.”
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