Former Liverpool captain Jamie Redknapp has identified Thiago Alcantara as the man Villarreal will need to contain in Wednesday's Champions League semi-final first leg.
The Reds welcome the Spanish outfit to Anfield for the first fixture of the double-header and Jurgen Klopp's side will be big favourites to progress to another Champions League final.
Villarreal have caused a couple of shocks on their way to the semis with wins over Juventus and Bayern Munich, although Liverpool represent an altogether different challenge. Unai Emery's team will be expected to sit deep and frustrate their opponents for long spells of the game.
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As a result, Thiago will likely have a lot of the ball and in recent weeks he's used possession well in wins over Manchester City, Manchester United and Everton.
Redknapp, a former midfielder himself, believes Villarreal need to stifle the playmaker if they are to stand any chance over the two legs, per the Daily Mail.
He explained: "These are silly numbers amid such a demanding workload — Thiago is so influential that he’s starting every big game in Liverpool’s quadruple chase — and now it is Villarreal’s turn to try to stop the flow to him in this first leg.
"On Wednesday night, Thiago will represent a personal challenge for Francis Coquelin. That’s his man, no ifs, ands or buts. He’ll try to get so close that Thiago walks off that pitch at Anfield wearing his aftershave. Liverpool love nothing more than getting into that special rhythm of theirs. They’re almost unstoppable once they’re in that. Coquelin versus Thiago will be some battle."
Redknapp added that he doesn't think Liverpool necessarily need to build a big lead at Anfield, with numbers illustrating just how effective they are on the road in Europe too.
He said: "Nobody has scored more goals away from home in the Champions League this season than Liverpool and their 15. So although tonight’s tie is at Anfield, Klopp’s side can afford to be patient. There’s no need for a gung-ho, must-score-several approach. They can feel safe in the knowledge that there isn’t a club out there better at silencing an opposition crowd than them."
