Villarreal vs Liverpool: 'We are only thinking of Villarreal, not the Europa League final' says Jurgen Klopp
Liverpool travel to La Liga side for the first-leg of the semi-final
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Your support makes all the difference.Villarreal, as Jürgen Klopp identifies, is small town Spain. Here, old men lounge in quiet bars taking their time with glasses of brandy. The streets are empty for most of the day. Hartlepool’s population is almost twice as big.
This is not Augsburg, where Klopp was met by large crowds absorbed by his first return to Germany since becoming Liverpool’s manager. This Europa League semi certainly does not contain the madness of a tie with Manchester United, or Borussia Dortmund, Klopp’s former club, either.
Liverpool are a couple good results away from a final. And yet, the build up has been totally opposite to the previous rounds. With many visiting supporters spending Wednesday night in busier places like Valencia and Benidorm, a sense of importance has not arrived in Villarreal yet.
That the interpreter forgot his bearings and started translating in English when it was meant to be in Spanish reflected the length of Klopp’s answer to the suggestion that Liverpool are favourites to win the competition from here.
Outcomes have not always met expectation under him so far when Liverpool have appeared to be in control of their destiny. He went to great lengths to stress that he trusts players to recognise the tone required in less frenzied surroundings this time and seal progression.
“It is important for me to understand my players are here in the semi because they have always been ready for the moment and never thought about the next round,” he said. “So it is important to show them the respect they deserve. We have shown we can concentrate on the game. We are not about thinking about Basel and the final.”
There is a sense, nevertheless, that Klopp realises he is close to arriving at a big moment. Another question was asked about the current Europa League campaign – where Liverpool have set a record for being 12 games unbeaten – being vital experience in relation to development over coming seasons. He had already made a point of highlighting there were “no tourists” in his squad, confirming that Christian Benteke is available to play after a knee injury.
“Experience is nothing to talk about. It’s not to buy or collect, it's just something you build, you get and use," he said. "But if you use it in the wrong way then it's bullshit – then you don't need it. The Europa League is our best route to a trophy. We must focus on that.”
Attentions at Liverpool this week have been elsewhere. Mamadou Sakho’s failed drugs test means speculation over his future will continue until he is either banned or exonerated. Meanwhile, decisions from the Hillsborough inquests were revealed on Tuesday and this was the first opportunity Klopp had to speak about the findings.
“It was a very big moment for all the families,” he said. “I’m very pleased for them, very happy. Twenty-seven years is an unbelievably long time. It shows everybody that if you are ready to fight for the truth and be patient enough to wait for the moment, it can happen.”
That it has been arranged by Villarreal officials for a special banner in respect of the 96 fans who died in Sheffield to be carried above the heads of supporters inside El Madrigal before kick off, signifies the magnitude of the week.
Earlier, Marcelino, Villarreal’s manager, had insisted the pressure was not with his side. They have won all six of their European home games this season but did not meet expected performance standards in their last fixture on Spanish soil when Sparta Prague were the visitors. Since knocking out the Czechs, league form has been poor and Celta Vigo could steal their place in next year’s Champions League the run is not arrested.
“We don’t consider ourselves to be less than them,” Marcelino warned. “We are going to give everything from our side to eliminate this legendary team.”
Probable teams
Villarreal (4-4-2): Asenjo; Gaspar, Bailly, Ruiz, Rukavina; Suarez, Bruno, Pina, Castillejo; Soldado, Bakambu.
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Mignolet; Clyne, Lovren, Skrtel, Moreno; Milner, Lucas; Lallana, Firmino, Coutinh; Sturridge
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