Former Liverpool striker David Fairclough thinks Villarreal will find the vociferous Anfield atmosphere new when the Spanish team face the Reds in the Europa League semi-final second leg next week.
The Yellow Submarine edged out Liverpool in the first leg at El Madrigal last night through Adrian Lopez’s injury time winner.
A draw at Anfield will now be enough for Villarreal to progress to the final of the continental competition at the expense of the Premier League giants.
And Fairclough, who feels Villarreal will be looking to defend their slender advantage on Merseyside, however, believes the rocking atmosphere at Anfield could unnerve the visitors.
The 59-year-old went on to add that Liverpool will get opportunities to score in the return leg as he backed the full-backs to play an important role at Anfield.
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“They will be set up to defend and take the pressure, but the atmosphere will be white hot and it will be new to them”, Fairclough told LFC TV after the game.
“Even though they have a reputation for defending, I think we will get opportunities and the full-backs will be key I think.
“We'll see them get opportunities to get round the back and when they get in we need bodies in there and then it's about picking out the right pass.”
Liverpool, who are currently seventh in the Premier League with 55 points from 34 games, will next face Swansea City in an away league encounter on Sunday.
