Liverpool vs Villarreal Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2026-27 UEFA Champions League | League Phase
by Alex Lawes ·
Liverpool have earned themselves a couple of much-needed victories in the last week or so as The Reds now welcome Villarreal to Anfield on Tuesday.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV & online: UK – TNT Sports & HBO Max / USA – Paramount+
Liverpool preview: Back-to-back victories
After a stop-start start to the Andoni Iraola era on Merseyside, Liverpool returned from the international break with a 3-0 hammering at the hands of Manchester City but they have since gone on to earn back-to-back victories.
The Reds entertainingly thumped LASK by six goals to three in the UEFA Champions League last week before a hard-fought come from behind win against ten-man Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium at the weekend.
Villarreal preview: Improved but frustrated
Inigo Perez, the disciple of Andoni Iraola at Rayo Vallecano, has experienced his own teething issues in charge of Villarreal since moving to The Yellow Submarine from the UEFA Europa Conference League finalists over the summer.
Villarreal started slowly before 3-1 wins against Malaga and Levante before the break. They have since returned to action with a 1-0 loss to Real Madrid, a defeat of Napoli in Europe and then a frustrating goalless draw with Elche at the weekend.
Liverpool team news: Isak & Gakpo available
Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak are back available for Liverpool but they remain without Dominik Szoboszlai as his own injury has yet to heal, while Jeremie Frimpong has also picked up an injury from the game against Brentford the other day.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Araujo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Barcola, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak
Unavailable: Leoni (Injured), Bradley (Injured), Frimpong (Injured), Szoboszlai (Injured), Ekitike (Injured)
Questionable:
Villarreal team news: A couple of injuries
Villarreal head to England with a couple of injury absentees for this one as Tajon Buchanan picked up a hamstring issue in the international break and Nicolas Pepe suffered an eye injury against Real Madrid.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Junior; Mourino, Navarro, Veiga, Romero; Saliba, Comesana, Gueye, Moleiro; Gerard, Mikautadze
Unavailable: Buchanan (Injured), Pepe (Injured)
Questionable:
Liverpool vs Villarreal prediction
This is a game between two coaches with a relationship and history together, with Inigo Perez having been prevented from joining Iraola as his assistant coach at AFC Bournemouth due to not receiving a work permit. He has gone on to forge his own impressive and burgeoning managerial career that sees him take an improving Villarreal side to a stuttering Liverpool. With home advantage, Iraola’s side do remain favourites but it may not be straightforward and could be a fun watch for the neutral.
Liverpool vs Villarreal Tip: Liverpool to win & both teams to score
