Villarreal defender Alberto Moreno has sent a message to his former side Liverpool after the two sides met in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
Liverpool overcame the Spanish side 2-0 at Anfield , courtesy of a Pervis Estupinan own goal and a rapid response from Sadio Mane. It means the Reds are in a relatively comfortable position ahead of next week’s return leg at the El Madrigal.
Unai Emery’s team headed into the clash with Liverpool as underdogs, though the Yellow Submarine had eliminated both Juventus and Bayern Munich before facing the Reds. Despite the result, Moreno sent a heartfelt message to Liverpool fans following his return to Merseyside.
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The full-back joined Villarreal after leaving Liverpool in 2019. However, the 29-year-old was unable to feature in the match after suffering an ACL injury last month .
After the final whistle on Wednesday, Moreno wrote on Twitter: “Thanks, Anfield. Was very emotional to see you again. Always in my heart @LFC #ynwa”
His post was accompanied with pictures of him being greeted by his old teammates, Alisson Becker and Virgil van Dijk. The Spain international has often spoken passionately about his five-year spell with the Reds and further endeared himself with supporters after his message to Liverpool fans , following Villarreal’s victory over Manchester United in the Europa League final last season.
Moreno made 141 appearances in all competitions for the club and was part of the squad that won the Champions League in 2019. And the defender was aware of the challenge his current side would face, ahead of their trip to Anfield.
"If you want to win against these teams you have to suffer," Moreno said . "You're not going to beat one of these teams to the face, it's impossible.
“You have to suffer and we know how to suffer. And Villarreal has a virtue, that we all know how to suffer together as a team, but then we also know how to play football because there are players in this squad of spectacular quality.
"That explains the way we are doing. Because when we have to suffer against big teams, we suffer. And we know how to do it. And then with the ball the big teams suffer against us. They are aware of that."
