Liverpool v Villarreal: Preview, expected line-ups, stats and where to watch

Where to Watch Liverpool v Villarreal: TV and online streams

Liverpool versus Villarreal kicks off at 8pm BST on Tuesday, October 20 at Anfield.

In the UK, the game is being shown on Amazon Prime Video. In the US, the game is on Paramount+ at 3pm ET.

If you live outside the UK, click the LINK HERE to find out where to watch it in your region.

Preview for Liverpool v Villarreal

There’s a personal edge to this one. Andoni Iraola welcomes Villarreal to Anfield on Tuesday night, and in the opposite dugout will be Iñigo Pérez, the man who worked alongside him at Rayo Vallecano and who almost followed him to Bournemouth before a work permit issue stopped the move.

Pérez has since forged his own path, and he arrives at Anfield with a Villarreal side that has improved significantly in recent weeks.

“For me it is a special game because Inigo is my friend,” said Iraola. “We know each other since the academy years in Athletic Club, we played with each other in the first team. As soon as he retired, I was quick enough to grab him to help as an assistant. We’ve been through a lot of things together.

“It is a privilege for me to face him in a Champions League game. He knows me very well, he knows everything. It is a team that I follow, I know the players and it is going to be a little bit strange but in a good way.”

Liverpool’s own form has picked up nicely. After the 3-0 home defeat to Manchester City, Iraola’s side responded with a 6-3 win at LASK in the Champions League and then a 2-1 victory at Brentford on Saturday, with Alexander Isak returning to score the winner. That’s six wins in eight games in all competitions, and Liverpool have won both of their Champions League games so far, having also beaten Atlético Madrid 2-1 at Anfield on matchday one. They sit fifth in the league-phase standings.

Villarreal endured a nightmare start under Pérez, going six games without a win in all competitions, including a defeat to Borussia Dortmund on matchday one. They’ve turned things around since, winning four times, including an impressive 3-1 victory over Napoli in their last Champions League game. However, their weekend ended in a goalless draw with Elche.

Their away form remains a concern. Villarreal have won just one of their six away games this season.

Liverpool have the edge in the head-to-head record, winning three of the four previous meetings. The sides met in two European semi-finals, with Liverpool progressing in the 2015-16 Europa League and the 2021-22 Champions League.

Champions League Table

Team News for Liverpool v Villarreal

Jeremie Frimpong and Dominik Szoboszlai will both miss the game after sustaining issues at Brentford.

There is better news on Isak, who scored the winner at the Gtech after returning from his thigh injury. Ryan Gravenberch is also available after missing the Brentford game through suspension, and he is expected to come straight back into midfield in place of Szoboszlai.

Florian Wirtz has faced criticism this season but has been trusted by Iraola throughout, so he should start in the Number 10 role.

For Villarreal, Nicolas Pépé and Tajon Buchanan are both out.

Expected line-ups for Liverpool v Villarreal

Liverpool: Alisson; Araújo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Barcola, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak

Villarreal: Gulácsi; Mouriño, Pau Navarro, Renato Veiga, Carlos Romero; Santi Comesaña, Saliba, Gueye, Alberto Moleiro; Gerard Moreno, Mikautadze

Recent Form & Stats for Liverpool v Villarreal

Prediction for Liverpool v Villarreal

This could be tight. Liverpool have yet to really fire this season and the same can be said for Villarreal. The Reds’ injuries are another headache for Iraola, especially against a man who knows his tactics so well.

Liverpool

2 – 2

Villarreal

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