“Respect”- Emery explains how Liverpool will not make Bayern mistake in UCL semis

Unai Emery believes Jurgen Klopp has built the best Liverpool side he has seen

According to ESPN, Villarreal manager Unai Emery has heaped massive praise on Liverpool ahead of their UEFA Champions League semi-final at Anfield on Wednesday.

The Reds are currently on course to win all four trophies this season. Having already won the Carabao Cup, they have already qualified for the final of the FA Cup and are one point behind Manchester City in the Premier League title race.

Jurgen Klopp’s side has lost just thrice all season across all competitions. The Reds are proving to be a juggernaut of sorts and will be difficult to top unless opposition teams are at their best.

While Villarreal looks like a favourable tie on paper, the Spaniards have proven to be anything but easy opponents. The Yellow Submarines made it to the last four, dumping out Juventus and Bayern Munich in the process.

Emery believes Liverpool will not make the same mistake as the other two teams and will treat Villarreal with more respect. There is no room for complacency and it is in the Merseysiders’ best interests to not take the match for granted.

“Liverpool know we have a great European presence, that we have been able to eliminate two great teams [in Juventus and Bayern.] They know it won’t be easy. They will feel like favourites, of course, but will have respect for us.”

Emery also went on to add that the Reds are the best version of themselves that he has seen. A well-travelled manager who has also been at the helm at Arsenal, that is quite the statement.

“This is the best Liverpool side that I can remember.”

Liverpool will be keen to win the first leg with a healthy scoreline, giving themselves some breathing space for the trip to Spain next week. Should they perform to their best, a third Champions League final in five seasons is on the cards.

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Emery’s Sevilla put Klopp’s Liverpool to the sword in the 2016 UEFA Europa League final. Much has changed since that day in Basel and Emery will have a much harder job this time around. Whether Paris awaits us remains to be seen.