Liverpool are favourties for the tie although we have nothing to lose, proclaims Pau Torres
Torres comments on upcoming Liverpool game
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Villarreal defender Pau Torres has asserted that Liverpool are unlikely to not take the Spanish side seriously due to being favourites for the contest although he acknowledged that his side are ready for the challenge. Liverpool face Villarreal in the semi-finals of the Champions League next week.
Villarreal have undergone a fruitful Champions League campaign this season after they secured their entry into the competition by claiming the Europa League crown last season by beating Manchester United. The Yellow Submarines sealed their place into the knockout rounds of the premier competition after finishing second in their group, one point behind Manchester United.
The Spanish side encountered a difficult draw in the Round of 16 as they played Juventus but despite being the underdogs they managed to advance into the quarter-finals by claiming a 4-1 aggregate win over two legs. Villarreal then faced German champions Bayern Munich and stunned neutrals worldwide as they secured a 2-1 aggregate victory over two legs.
The Spanish club have booked their place in the semi-finals of the European competition where they will face Liverpool over two legs. Unai Emery’s men will hope to repeat their heroics of advancing past favourites to seal their place in the finals. Villarreal centreback Torres admitted that he had no problem with the Spanish being considered the underdogs in the crucial fixture.
“We have nothing to lose. We will be less of a surprise because we have just eliminated Juve and Bayern, so Liverpool will be a little more humble than Bayern was and they will prepare thoroughly knowing what we have achieved in the other qualifiers. They are the favourites for the tie right now. We have to know who we're up against and it's okay to recognize that they're favourites. But so were Juve and Bayern. We're working hard to continue giving surprises,” Torres told AS.
“They have pretty much the best players in the world and they've just easily beaten Manchester United and they beat City too. But we have adapted very well in this competition to teams that are bigger than us,” he added.
