Thursday’s game against Villarreal will be decided by the simple fact that who wants it more. Realistically Liverpool need it badly as the Spanish side have already cemented their place in the Champions League result of a brilliant campaign. This trophy is the only chance for the reds to participate in the world’s most prestigious club competition.
Jurgen Klopp’s men are just one win away from a final in Basel and tomorrow’s match will decide the fate of this season and ultimately Jurgen Klopp’s. It will be harsh to judge him on just 8 months but in this modern age of football, the manager is judged with each game passing by, a European trophy in his first year in charge can make way for future glory. The fans have seen the downfall, seen the infamous Hicks and Gillett era and have suffered a lot. Off the field, after 27 years justice was served in the Hillsborough tragedy and the Europa League can be a perfect gift to salute the struggles of the families.
The good news from the reds camp is that Emre Can is back in training and may even start at Anfield. With the midfield sorted, the biggest dilemma for Klopp should be the striking department. It’s between Christian Benteke and Daniel Sturridge and unlike in the first leg, Liverpool will definitely start with a recognised striker with the decision of Roberto Firmino failing in the first leg defeat. Reds have to score and score early to inflict some damage on the yellow submarines.
Each striker has his own strengths and flaws. Benteke has an aerial presence that is second to none. He has been criticized by everyone and it is rumored that he will be offloaded in the summer, but he has always shown the right attitude even when he was on the bench and by his recent quotes it proves that he wants to fight for his Liverpool career. Even in his bad form, he is Liverpool’s second highest goal scorer and has a knack of scoring in big games. It will be a huge call if he is given a start by Klopp, but he can prove useful too.
Daniel Sturridge is a curious case, his recent comments about his future not being at LFC had irked some fans but after his 50th goals he had stated that his aim is 100 goals in a Red shirt. He has always performed well and has one of the highest goalscoring rate in Liverpool’s history. Sturridge is a match-winner and is in good form recently, he deserves a start in this all important semifinal.
Villarreal centre back Eric Bailly is uncomfortable with pacy forwards and has always struggled with strikers taking runs in between. With the attacking threat of Coutinho and Firmino and the pace of Sturridge, Villarreal Defence can be split open and instead of crosses and Long balls which will be aplenty if Benteke plays, these through balls or pacy counter attacks can do more damage and win the game for the reds. Benteke can play an important cameo later on, but Daniel Sturridge should start. He is Liverpool’s best bet for a place in the final and when a striker of Sturridge’s pedigree is available, one should make full use of it.
