Klopp apologises to Villarreal in ahead of Liverpool re-match

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Speaking after Liverpool‘s Europa League semi-final first leg defeat by Villarreal, Jurgen Klopp has warned the Yellow Submarine that his side will be ready for the return leg.

The Reds largely held their own in the first leg against the Liga BBVA outfit, managing 50 percent of the possession, and taking 14 shots compared to their hosts’ nine.

Indeed, while Villarreal managed more successful dribbles than their visitors, the Reds beat Marcelino’s side for pass accuracy and tackles won.

However, the Merseyside giants weren’t able either to see out the tie or to secure an away goal. They were outdone in second-half stoppage time when substitute Adrian Lopez fired past Simon Mignolet.

While the home side celebrated jubilantly at the final whistle, Klopp has issued a firm warning ahead of the second leg.

“To be honest, it is the first leg,” began the German coach after the match, speaking to the media [as per Goal]. “My first thought was ‘sorry, but it is not over, you have to come to Anfield too and we will be ready!,” he continued.

“Now we have to find solutions to a few things but I saw we are in a good way. I saw a lot of things that show we can do it.

“With the help of Anfield we can do it but please don’t compare it with the Dortmund clash,” the manager concluded.

“Things are possible with 1-0, it is not the biggest result in the world. Villarreal know a lot more about us and they will respect us.”

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Liverpool travel to Swansea City in the Premier League this weekend, however, with little at stake for the Reds domestically, don’t be surprised to see Klopp rotate his options in light of the gruelling semi-final first leg.

Liverpool have won the Europa League—previously known as the Uefa Cup—on three occasions, with the last of these triumphs coming in 2001.

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