The Anfield giants dropped from first to fifth in the Premier League in 2025/2026. Iraola arrived from Bournemouth in the summer and is trying to put things right, but not everything has gone according to plan — they even began the new season with a couple of draws. After finishing fourth, the visitors from La Cerámica managed to climb to third, overtaking Atlético. Marcelino was nevertheless dismissed as head coach. His successor, Iñigo Pérez, made an underwhelming start, with plenty of draws and even defeats.
The English side opened their Champions League campaign at home against another La Liga representative, Atlético. After conceding early, they produced a comeback victory, 2-1. Against LASK, they went one step further in the previous round, securing a 6-3 win with a hat-trick from Barcola.
The Spaniards also struggled in the previous edition of the tournament. This time, under a new manager, they lost to Borussia in Dortmund in the opening round, 3-2. When they hosted Napoli in October, they finally claimed a victory, 3-1.
Previous matches: Liverpool – Villarreal
In 2016, in the Europa League, the sides traded “home” wins, but the British club advanced. Six years later, in the Champions League, they defeated the Spaniards twice.
The British side have far more arguments in their favor. They should win at home even with a -1 goal handicap (odds — 1.78).
Liverpool – Villarreal: key statistics and trends
Liverpool have won both of their previous matches
Liverpool score an average of 1.29 goals and concede 1.14 goals per match
Both teams have scored in 43% of Liverpool’s matches, while the average total goals per match is 2.43
Villarreal finally won in the league in the previous round
Villarreal score an average of 1.44 goals and concede 1.44 goals per match
Both teams have scored in 67% of Villarreal’s matches, while the average total goals per match is 2.89
Liverpool – Villarreal: possible starting lineups
Liverpool play in a 1-4-2-3-1 formation (possible lineup): Alisson – Kerkez, Van Dijk, Jaque, Araújo – Mac Allister, Szoboszlai – Ngumoha, Wirtz, Barcola – Isak
Villarreal play in a 1-4-2-3-1 formation (possible lineup): Gulácsi – Cardona, Veiga, Navarro, Mourinho – Gueye, Comesaña – Oluwaseyi, Saliba, Buchanan – Mikautadze
