Unai Emery indicates Villarreal will imitate Everton’s tactics after trying to frustrate Liverpool

DBasia.news – Villarreal coach, Unai Emery has indicated that he will emulate Everton’s tactics to try to frustrate Liverpool like last weekend.

Villarreal will be tested by Liverpool in the 2021-2022 Champions League semifinals. In the first leg, Thursday (28/4), Anfield will be the stage of the battle.

Unai Emery is aware that his team will never lose, especially over long distances as then Villarreal would get into trouble in the second leg.

Therefore, it is important to apply the right strategy to reduce the sharpness of the Liverpool players. One of Emery’s tactical references is what Everton used when they met Liverpool last weekend. The Toffees appeared to survive and did a lot of stalling.

“I think Liverpool have improved. We faced Liverpool who were in their best moment,” said Emery as reported by The Sun.

“It’s true, against a team that is defensive at the back, Liverpool can have a lot of trouble.”

Furthermore, Emery feels Liverpool will not look down on Villarreal. For him, there are no more surprise teams in the semifinals.

“Liverpool know if we have a slick appearance in Europe. We kicked two strong teams,” said the former Arsenal coach.

“They are aware it will not be easy. Liverpool will feel as favorites and that is normal. However, they will still respect us,” said Emery.

This is Liverpool and Villarreal’s third meeting in European competition. Previously, the two teams beat each other in the 2015-16 Europa League knockout stages.