20 Oct 2026

15:00Anfield

Villarreal

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James Freemantle

Oct 19, 2026 06:05-04:00

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Liverpool vs Villarreal Champions League preview: All you need to know

Comprehensive match preview of Liverpool vs Villarreal in the Champions League. We talk tactics, team news, form and more

Champions League - Game Week 3

20 Oct 2026 - 15:00

Anfield

Liverpool vs Villarreal kicks off on 20 Oct 2026 at 15:00 EST and 19:00 GMT.

Liverpool hope to continue flawless UCL run at Anfield

Andoni Iraola's men showed character against Brentford at the weekend in the Premier League, coming from behind to win 2-1. It was a much-needed result, following a 3-0 thrashing against Manchester City. The Reds have had things their own way in the Champions League so far, though, beating Atletico Madrid 2-1 at Anfield and thrashing LASK 6-3 away from home. Despite a patchy start to their domestic campaign, Iraola's men have now won six of their last eight outings across all competitions.

Brentford v Liverpool - Premier League 2026/27

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A mixed bag from Villarreal so far

Villarreal's seven-match UCL losing streak finally came to an end last time out when they beat Napoli 3-1 despite conceding first. The Yellow Submarine started this season dismally, failing to win any of their last six across all competitions, a sequence including four defeats on the trot. They've steadied the ship somewhat, winning three out of five, including that win over Napoli.

Villarreal CF v SSC Napoli - UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD2

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Goals could be on the menu at Anfield

The Yellow Submarine haven't kept a clean sheet in any of their last 13 Champions League appearances, and the chances of a shutout at Anfield look slim, given that they've only kept three shutouts in their last 33 matches in this competition.

Key stats & injuries

Liverpool have scored twice or more in 13 of their last 15 UCL group stage clashes at Anfield.
Liverpool will be without Dominik Szoboszlai and Jeremie Frimpong, who both got hurt against Brentford at the weekend, while Villarreal will be minus Nicolas Pepe and Tajon Buchanan for the trip to Anfield.

Team news & squads

Liverpool vs Villarreal Probable lineups

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Liverpool

LIV

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Villarreal

VIL

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Andoni Iraola is expected to name a strong side, with his projected XI reading: Alisson Becker; Jeremy Jacquet, Jeremie Frimpong, Konstantinos Tsimikas, Ronald Araujo; Trey Nyoni, Ryan Gravenberch; Bradley Barcola, Florian Wirtz, Rio Ngumoha; Lewis Koumas. No injuries or suspensions are currently reported for the home side, though updates will be added closer to kick-off.

Villarreal head coach Inigo Perez is set to line up with Luiz Junior in goal, supported by a back four of Carlos Romero, Pau Navarro, Renato Veiga, and Santiago Mourino. Alberto Moleiro and Gerard Moreno are among the attacking options projected to feature. No injuries or suspensions have been confirmed for the away side at this stage.

Form

Liverpool head into this fixture in strong form, recording four wins from their last five matches with one defeat. Their most recent outing was a 2-1 comeback victory over Brentford in the Premier League, following a 6-3 win at LASK in the Champions League. The only blemish in that run was a 3-0 home defeat to Manchester City. Across those five matches, the Reds have scored 11 goals and conceded seven, reflecting an expansive but occasionally open style.

Villarreal's recent form shows three wins, one draw, and one loss from their last five outings. They drew 0-0 with Elche in LaLiga at the weekend before that impressive 3-1 Champions League win over Napoli. A 1-0 defeat to Real Madrid is the only loss in the sequence. Villarreal have scored eight goals and conceded three across those five games, suggesting they arrive at Anfield with genuine attacking momentum.

Head-to-Head Record

The most recent meeting between these clubs came in the 2022 Champions League semi-finals, when Liverpool won 2-0 at Anfield before Villarreal claimed a 2-3 defeat at home — Liverpool progressing 5-2 on aggregate. Across the five documented meetings between the sides, Liverpool have the stronger record, also defeating Villarreal across both legs of the 2016 Europa League semi-finals, with the only Villarreal win coming in the first leg of that tie.

Standings

#		P	W	D	L	F	A	+/-	PTS	Form
1	Paris Saint-GermainPSG	2	2	0	0	10	3	+7	6	W W
2	BarcelonaBAR	2	2	0	0	9	2	+7	6	W W
3	Aston VillaAVL	2	2	0	0	9	2	+7	6	W W
4	VfB StuttgartVFB	2	2	0	0	6	1	+5	6	W W
5	LiverpoolLIV	2	2	0	0	8	4	+4	6	W W
6	Sporting CPSCP	2	2	0	0	5	1	+4	6	W W
7	ArsenalARS	2	2	0	0	4	0	+4	6	W W
8	Real MadridRMA	2	2	0	0	6	4	+2	6	W W

9	Real BetisBET	2	2	0	0	6	4	+2	6	W W
10	Bayern MunichFCB	2	1	1	0	8	3	+5	4	D W
11	Shakhtar DonetskSHK	2	1	1	0	4	2	+2	4	W D
12	ComoCOM	2	1	0	1	6	4	+2	3	L W
13	Manchester UnitedMUN	2	1	0	1	4	2	+2	3	L W
14	VillarrealVIL	2	1	0	1	5	4	+1	3	W L
15	Atletico MadridATM	2	1	0	1	3	2	+1	3	W L
16	Club BruggeCLB	2	1	0	1	6	6	0	3	W L
17	Manchester CityMCI	2	1	0	1	4	4	0	3	L W
18	Borussia DortmundBVB	2	1	0	1	3	3	0	3	L W
19	LensRCL	2	1	0	1	3	4	-1	3	L W
20	AEK AthensAEK	2	1	0	1	2	3	-1	3	L W
21	RB LeipzigRBL	2	1	0	1	2	4	-2	3	W L
22	Sabah FKSAB	2	1	0	1	2	4	-2	3	W L
23	FeyenoordFEY	2	1	0	1	4	7	-3	3	W L
24	Bodoe/GlimtBOD	2	1	0	1	1	5	-4	3	W L
25	RomaROM	2	0	1	1	4	5	-1	1	L D
26	PSV EindhovenPSV	2	0	1	1	1	2	-1	1	L D
27	VikingVIK	2	0	1	1	4	6	-2	1	D L
28	FenerbahceFB	2	0	1	1	1	7	-6	1	L D
29	InterINT	2	0	0	2	4	6	-2	0	L L
30	FC PortoPOR	2	0	0	2	2	5	-3	0	L L
31	Slavia PragueSLP	2	0	0	2	2	5	-3	0	L L
32	SSC NapoliNAP	2	0	0	2	1	4	-3	0	L L
33	LASKLAS	2	0	0	2	3	7	-4	0	L L
34	LilleLIL	2	0	0	2	2	6	-4	0	L L
35	GalatasarayGAL	2	0	0	2	2	7	-5	0	L L
36	Slovan BratislavaSBR	2	0	0	2	1	9	-8	0	L L

Qualification to 1/8 finals

In the Champions League league phase, Liverpool sit fifth — a position that places them firmly in contention for a direct route into the round of 16. Villarreal are 14th, meaning they face a tighter battle to secure their place in the knockout rounds, giving this fixture added urgency for the visitors.