1) Liverpool can keep belief despite late blow
This was never going to be an occasion whose pitch matched the remarkable win over Borussia Dortmund, despite the bigger prize at stake. If that sounds illogical, it probably did Liverpool a favour – emotion can take one only some of the way and an element of restraint was required to stay in control at El Madrigal. It was an intelligent performance from Jürgen Klopp’s team, more in the manner of that draw in Dortmund than the chaos that followed at Anfield and suggested they are developing a valuable ability to ramp things up or down when necessary. That is all the more impressive in their current depleted state and they were dealt another blow by the half‑time withdrawal of Philippe Coutinho because of illness. A patched-up side came so close to keeping Villarreal at bay and, despite Adrián López’s late winner, will be confident of another famous turnaround at Anfield.
2) Villarreal and Soriano demonstrate their class
There were one or two expressions of satisfaction – albeit not within the Liverpool camp – when the draw pitted them against Villarreal rather than serial champions Sevilla but this was always going to be as fiendish a test as they come. La Liga’s fourth‑placed side are a stylish, fluent outfit with an edge and their captain, the deep midfielder Bruno Soriano, would walk into most major teams. It was his piece of vision in the 11th minute, chipping a quickly taken free-kick for Roberto Soldado to volley wide, that carved Liverpool open for the first time and it was a partnership that caused problems – Soldado dropping deep to receive slide-rule passes and giving Liverpool’s centre‑backs decisions to make. The former Tottenham striker chipped wide from a similar combination shortly before half-time and Bruno’s promptings caused problems throughout. Keeping him away from areas of influence will be a priority at Anfield next week.
3) Allen looks a good fit for big European nights
Joe Allen had not started a Europa League knockout game this season but injuries to Emre Can and Jordan Henderson meant he was always going to get his chance and he almost took it five minutes in, arriving late to shoot straight at Sergio Asenjo when one expected the net to ripple. He appeared a natural fit for Liverpool’s purposes here, the emphasis being on keeping possession against a side so quick in the transition; and one had only to stretch the mind back three weeks to remember the composure he added in Dortmund when replacing Henderson at half-time. That evening he helped Liverpool get another 10 yards up the pitch and after a lively start by Villarreal he had a similar impact here, playing with his head up and showing an appetite to drive beyond the ball, too. Allen does not have the physical gifts of his stricken team-mates and that probably accounts for his place in the pecking order but he seems cut out for these European nights.
4) Sturridge must fear for his place in Klopp’s schema
A penny for Daniel Sturridge’s thoughts? The forward has been in good form during April, scoring four goals in five appearances, and a return of 11 in 22 over the season is more than respectable. He might have expected to start in Divock Origi’s absence here but instead Roberto Firmino took the central role, Klopp’s pre-match rationale being for “a little more stability” in the 4-3-3/4-5-1 hybrid he deployed against Dortmund and in the convincing victories at Chelsea and Manchester City. Firmino’s ability to press from the front works to his advantage under Klopp and he demonstrated it after 15 minutes when he dispossessed the usually impeccable Bruno and set Liverpool temporarily on the front foot. The downside was that Liverpool lacked a presence in the box, although Firmino did rap a shot against the post with 25 minutes left. Even if Klopp’s decision made sense, Sturridge must be concerned that he does not fit into the schema for these occasions.
5) Mignolet will take heart from a steady night
Simon Mignolet’s form had been thrust under the spotlight again last Saturday when he flapped under a Vurnon Anita cross and all of a sudden Liverpool, in total control against Newcastle, were on the ropes. Yet he has been solid in Europe and did well here, getting down to his left in the first half to parry a firmly struck sidefooter from Tomás Pina. He saved his best until just before the end, superbly tipping away Cédric Bakambu’s first clear shot of the night. He handled well when required but was protected diligently by Dejan Lovren and the outstanding Kolo Touré. The Belgian is one of the players Liverpool are thought likely to replace – or at least enlist competition for – as they look to improve during the summer but Klopp has shown an ability to get the most out of previously under-par players and his showings during a Europa League campaign in which he has played every minute have done him little harm.
