Pau Torres believes Liverpool will be aware of what Villarreal are capable of ahead of their Champions League semi-final, even if the Reds are “clear favourites”.
Liverpool’s pursuit of a potential four-trophy haul will continue with European commitments next week. They will be up against Villarreal for the first leg of their Champions League semi-final at Anfield on Wednesday.
Winners of the competition as recently as 2019, Liverpool enter the tie as favourites. Indeed, some believe they have a good chance of replicating their continental success this season.
However, Villarreal have already knocked out a couple of sides they were underdogs against this season. Juventus and Bayern Munich could not get the better of last season’s Europa League winners.
One of their key players, Pau Torres, has been looking ahead to the upcoming semi-final. The in-demand defender acknowledges Liverpool may have the advantage – and Villarreal may be losing their element of surprise – but is backing his side to make it competitive again.
“They are the clear favourites right now; they are in great form,” he told Marca.
“They don’t seem to be, and they take advantage of any slip-up at the slightest opportunity. We have to know who we’re up against, and it’s okay to recognize that they are favourites.
“But so were Juve and Bayern. We are here to prepare for it, work on it and continue to cause surprises. In the end, we have nothing to lose; on the contrary.
“We are very hungry to do great things. We’ll be less of a surprise because we’ve just eliminated Juve and Bayern, so Liverpool will be a little more humble than Bayern were and will prepare thoroughly knowing what we’re capable of.”
Pau Torres ready to challenge Liverpool forwards
Torres has already come up against some elite forwards in this season’s tournament. He has been tasked with stopping the likes of Dusan Vlahovic and Robert Lewandowski.
Next up he has Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and company to keep quiet, which he is expecting to be a challenge in its own way.
“Salah, Mane, Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz… there are many and very good. Each one with their characteristics but all with the common speed.
“We will have to be very attentive, defend as a team, that gives us many things. From there, be effective, take the game where we want and feel comfortable.”
Villarreal are currently seventh in the La Liga table with five games of their season remaining. Eight points off the top four, where some sides have games in hand, it appears their only route into next season’s Champions League would be by winning this edition.
Few would fancy their chances against Liverpool, but the same went for each of their previous knockout-stage opponents.
Therefore, it will be all to play for when the two-legged tie commences next week.
