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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Nathan Bliss

We simulated Villarreal vs Liverpool as defender scores stunning goal

Liverpool are 90 minutes away from securing their place in their third Champions League final in the last five seasons, as they take on Villarreal on Tuesday.

The Reds hold a 2-0 aggregate lead going into the second leg of the semi-final in Valencia, following Pervis Estupinan's own goal and Sadio Mane's strike early in the second half. Jurgen Klopp is likely to recall Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Thiago to the starting eleven on Tuesday, with the trio being rested against Newcastle on Saturday.

Ibrahima Konate is also likely to replace Joel Matip in defence, with one of Jordan Henderson and Naby Keita set to join Fabinho and Thiago in midfield. So, what line-ups will both teams select and what could the final score be?

READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp's Divock Origi comments prove EA Sports wrong with poor FIFA 22 attribute

We used FIFA 22 to get a score prediction for Liverpool against Villarreal on Tuesday and this is what happened. We used kick-off mode in FIFA 22, but didn't select a team to control, we then selected the teams and watched the match play out by itself, to give us a score prediction.

Villarreal vs Liverpool score predicted by simulation

We used kick-off mode in FIFA 22, but didn't select a team to control, we then selected the teams and watched the match play out by itself, to give us a score prediction.

We predict that Villarreal could set up in a 4-4-1-1 formation, with their line-up as follows: Rulli; Foyth, Albiol, Torres, Estupinan; Chukwueze, Capoue, Parejo, Danjuma; Lo Celso; Moreno.

We predict that Liverpool could set up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their line-up as follows: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Thiago; Salah, Mane, Diaz.

Despite an early flurry from the home side, Liverpool soon regained control of the game and all but sealed their place in the Champions League final just after the half-hour mark, with Sadio Mane opening the scoring. Fabinho let fly with a shot from just outside the area, which was palmed away by Rulli, but Mane was alive to the rebound and tucked it home from close range.

Sadio Mane made it 1-0 to Liverpool on the night. (EA SPORTS FIFA)

And just before half-time, the Reds made it 2-0 on the night and 4-0 on aggregate, with Alexander-Arnold scoring a stunning free-kick. Luis Diaz was brought down just outside the area, towards the left of the penalty box and after setting the ball down, the Reds full-back curled a strike up, over the wall and into the top corner.

Trent Alexander-Arnold scored a stunning free-kick to make it 2-0. (EA SPORTS FIFA)

The second half was dominated by Villarreal early on, with the home side having a number of half-chances, although none were taken. As the half wore on, Liverpool asserted their dominance by controlling possession once again. In the end, this game was settled by the early goal, with Klopp's side sealing their place in the Champions League final.

FIFA 22 predicted final score: Villarreal 0 (0) - (4) 2 Liverpool

Here are the full-time match stats.

FIFA 22 predicted final score: Villarreal 0 (0) - (4) 0 Liverpool (EA SPORTS FIFA)

FIFA 22 predicts that an early goal for Liverpool could kill the home side's slender hopes, with the Reds having superior quality and experience at this stage of the competition. But, it could be a different story should the home side get the first goal, so Klopp's side will have to be wary of Villarreal's threat, particularly with their star striker Gerard Moreno returning from injury.

What do you think the score will be? Let us know in the comments below!

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