Liverpool host Villarreal at Anfield for the first-leg of their Champions League semi-final on Wednesday, but who would make a combined XI based on their European displays so far?
Jurgen Klopp’s side advanced through to the final four after overcoming Benfica 6-4 in the quarter-finals on aggregate. The Reds had already eliminated Inter Milan in the last 16 and edged Atletico Madrid, Porto and AC Milan to top Group B as one of three unbeaten sides.
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Villarreal faced competition from Manchester United, Atlanta and BSC Young Boys during the group stage. Unai Emery’s men finished the round second to the Red Devils by a point, before fending off Juventus 4-1 in the last 16 and Bayern Munich 2-1 in the quarter-finals.
El Submarino Amarillo had trailed the Bianconeri 1-0 in the opening minute of their last 16 first-leg in February. Dani Parejo pulled the La Liga side level after the break, before Gerard Moreno, Pau Torres and reported Liverpool target Arnaut Danjuma sealed the win in Turin.
Danjuma was again on the scoresheet against Bayern Munich, before Samuel Chukwueze replied in Bavaria after Robert Lewandowski’s aggregate equaliser. Only five players have scored more often in the Champions League so far this season than Danjuma’s haul of six.
One of those five is Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah, who has struck home eight times. Lewandowski leads the Golden Boot race with 13, ahead of Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema (12) and Ajax star Sebastien Haller (11). Real play Manchester City in the other semi-final.
So, based on their Champions League form this season, what would a combined line-up of Liverpool and Villarreal stars look like ahead of El Submarino Amarillo travelling to Anfield?
GK – Geronimo Rulli
Alisson and Geronimo Rulli have both started all 10 of their sides’ Champions League ties and have three clean sheets. The Liverpool star shut out Atletico Madrid, Porto and Inter Milan, while his Villarreal counterpart denied Young Boys, Juventus and Bayern Munich.
Rulli has the edge on Alisson for total performances, though, having been the busier of the two goalkeepers. Per SofaScore, the Argentine has made 34 saves in Europe this season to the Brazilian’s 14. He has also made more high claims (9-5) and successful runs out (8-6).
RB – Trent Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold has only started six of his six Champions League appearances so far this season. But the Liverpool star would edge competition from Villarreal’s Juan Foyth – who has started eight of his eight UEFA outings this season to date – for a combined XI.
The England international has offered three assists from full-back, with roles in both goals to beat Atletico Madrid 2-0 at Anfield. He also caused Fikayo Tomori’s own goal to break the deadlock in the Reds’ 3-2 win over AC Milan at Anfield in the opening group stage tie.
CB – Raul Albiol, Virgil van Dijk
Raul Albiol and Virgil van Dijk make it honours even between Villarreal and Liverpool for the centre-half roles. The Spaniard has been a fixture of Emery’s plans with 10 starts from 10 so far, and produced a Man of the Match performance in the 1-1 Bayern Munich draw.
Albiol demonstrated great leadership to keep his side settled, was very strong in the air in Bavaria and read the game intelligently. Van Dijk, meanwhile, has made six appearances in the Champions League and has produced imperious performances at ease throughout.
LB – Andrew Robertson
Andrew Robertson has featured in seven of Liverpool’s Champions League ties ahead of hosting Villarreal. Through his outings, the Scotland international also has three assists, while his counterpart Pervis Estupinan has not impacted the scoring in his eight games.
CM – Fabinho, Dani Parejo, Thiago Alcantara
Liverpool hold the edge over Villarreal in the engine room by one, with Fabinho anchoring Dani Parejo and Thiago Alcantara. No midfielder for either side has produced more tackles in the Champions League so far this season than Fabinho, who has won the ball 22 times.
Parejo, meanwhile, has created the highest number of big chances (5) and played the most accurate passes in the final-third (156). As for Thiago, Parejo’s compatriot has produced an array of superb passes to dictate matches and scored one of the goals of the tournament.
RW – Mohamed Salah
Salah is likely assured a place in the Champions League Team of the Season, regardless of how Liverpool’s campaign concludes, ahead of facing Villarreal. The Egyptian is among the top-scorers in the competition on eight and even when his form dipped, is always a threat.
ST – Arnaut Danjuma
Danjuma is enjoying a record-setting Champions League campaign in his first foray in the competition with Villarreal. The Dutchman joined Emery’s side last summer in a £21m deal from Bournemouth, and is already their all-time top-scorer in the competition with six.
His efforts include scoring against Atalanta, Young Boys, Juventus and Bayern Munich. And even though he did not score against Manchester United, Danjuma enjoyed a scintillating performance at Old Trafford to assist Paco Alcacer and ran rings around the Red Devils.
LW – Sadio Mane
Sadio Mane has featured in all 10 and started eight of Liverpool’s Champions League ties, and should start against Villarreal. He has offered a consistent threat for three goals this season so far, as well, including once while offering an option centrally away to Benfica.
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