Jurgen Klopp quick response as Rio Ferdinand sends Liverpool warning message ahead of Villarreal clash

Jurgen Klopp quick response as Rio Ferdinand sends Liverpool warning message ahead of Villarreal clash

Liverpool will battle Villarreal in the semi-finals of the Champions League after Jurgen Klopp’s side saw off Benfica 6-4 on aggregate on Wednesday night at Anfield.

Klopp says Liverpool will not underestimate Villarreal after beating Benfica to qualify for the semi-finals of the Champions League on Wednesday night.

The Reds carried a 3-1 lead into the home leg and drew 3-3 at Anfield to safely make it through, despite surrendering a two-goal lead on the night.

Ibrahima Konate headed in a corner to make it 1-0 before Goncalo Ramos equalised with a smart finish. Roberto Firmino then made the result secure with two close-range finishes from left-wing crosses from Diogo Jota and Kostas Tsimikas.

Benfica took advantage of Liverpool’s high defence with Roman Yaremchuk rounding Alisson to make it 3-2 before Darwin Nunez polished his growing reputation with a clinical finish after beating the offside trap.

Liverpool FC (photo by Getty images)

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has sent a warning message to Klopp not to underestimate their opponents, who also beat Juventus in the last-16. He said: “Just beware Unai Emery: his record in Europe is phenomenal. Just saying, it’s a fact.”

Klopp made seven changes to his side against Benfica to protect his players during an extremely busy period of matches and was pleased with the result. He insisted that Liverpool should not enter the Villarreal Games unprepared.

“If I could do an analysis of Villarreal right now that would be very strange,” he said. “I saw the results, the game was very impressive. I only picked up pieces, but to beat Juventus and Bayern Munich they deserve to be in the Champions League semi-finals.

“Unai Emery is the king of the cups, it is unbelievable what he is doing. But give me a bit of time to prepare it properly”

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