Former Liverpool midfielder Jason McAteer believes the Reds are the favourites at Anfield tonight despite Villarreal’s reputation for being a solid team away from home.

The Yellow Submarine scored a late goal in the first leg of their semi-final clash against Liverpool at the Madrigal last week to get their noses in front in the tie, and they are confident of getting the job done in England tonight.




McAteer admits that Villarreal should start the second leg as slight favourites because of their solidity and the form that they have shown away from home in the Europa League this season to get this far.

However, the former Red believes Anfield has the ability to come alive on big European nights and Liverpool’s thrilling win over Dortmund in the quarter-finals serve as a reminder of what Jurgen Klopp’s men can do in front of a partisan Merseyside crowd under the lights.
 


While previewing the game for LFC TV, McAteer said: “The statisticians will put Villarreal as favourites.  

relatedNewsStory

“They are not a bad outfit; they are extremely strong and they knocked Napoli out.

"They scored six goals away from home in the group stages. They can defend a lead and are well organised and they are going into Anfield with a 1-0 lead.

“If you look at it, you do put them as favourites, but from my perspective the way the fans come across in a European tie under the floodlights; it’s such a big occasion, it’s like they are the 12th man.

“Plus what we did against Dortmund, and the way the players are up for it from a Liverpool fan’s perspective, you will put Liverpool as favourites.”

Out of the last 18 European ties between Premier League and La Liga teams, the latter have won 17.