Rodgers: Anfield crowd will push Liverpool into the Europa League final

Rodgers: Anfield crowd will push Liverpool into the Europa League final

Former Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes the Reds have enough quality to overcome their 1-0 deficit against Villarreal in the Europa League semi-final this week.

The Reds have had a roller-coaster European campaign, which first started under Rodgers’ stewardship back in September 2015.

While Liverpool laboured slightly through the group stages, with Rodgers and then his successor Jurgen Klopp, they have certainly fired their way past the likes of Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund during the knockout stages.

However, Liverpool did suffer their first Europa League defeat of the season last week at El Madrigal, with Adrian Lopez’s 92nd minute goal giving Villarreal the upper-hand.

Marcelino brings his team to Merseyside on Thursday night for the second leg and Rodgers believes the game is far from over, with Anfield sure to be loud for another big European night.

“I think they have a great chance on Thursday night,” Rodgers told Sky Sports.

“[Villarreal] are 1-0 up, [Liverpool] will be disappointed to concede late on but going back to Anfield with only one goal to make up, they’ve got every chance of getting through.

“The Anfield support is incredible so I’m sure they’ll really push them into the final.”

Liverpool head into the game off the back of another defeat, having being left red-faced by Swansea City – Rodgers’ former club – on Sunday at the Liberty Stadium.

Klopp rested a whole host of first-team stars for the game in South Wales, but the performances of some of those who were given a chance will certainly have angered the German tactician.

The result against Francesco Guidolin’s side also emphasised the fact a number of those Liverpool players will certainly see their futures thrown into the air this summer.

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