MANAGER Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool will have to “be ready to suffer” in their Champions League semi-final second leg clash with Villarreal tonight, despite a two-goal advantage.
The game kicks off at 8:00pm Nigeria time at El Madrigal, Spain.
An own goal from Pervis Estupinan and a Sadio Mane strike gave Liverpool a 2-0 win at Anfield last Wednesday.
Nigeria international, Samuel Chukwueze who made the starting lineup fired blank in the game as he was replaced in the 72nd minute by Senegal’s Boulaye Dia.
Manager Klopp warned: “We have to be ready to play a top game because they will go for us.”
The Reds have been European champions six times and last triumphed in 2019.
“They will try to play much more football than we allowed them in the first game,” added Klopp.
“My only concern is what we do and we have to be ready to suffer. But not going 1-0 down or whatever – that can happen in football matches – but giving the game the right direction.
“If they have the first shot on target, the crowd goes up, each challenge, the crowd goes up and that is how it is.”
Forward Divock Origi returns after illness ruled him out of the 1-0 win at Newcastle on Saturday, while centre-back Ibrahima Konate, midfielders Thiago Alcantara and Fabinho, and forward Mohamed Salah are all set to feature after being rested.
Liverpool, however, will be without forward Roberto Firmino because of a foot injury, although he will travel with the squad to Spain.
The Reds have already won the Carabao Cup, play Chelsea in the FA Cup final and are one point behind Premier League leaders Manchester City as they aim for an unprecedented quadruple in English football.
Klopp’s side have lost only three times in all competitions this season and, since the turn of the year, have been behind for only 69 minutes in total.