Iraola’s Liverpool face Villarreal with midfield and full-back problems
On Tuesday, 20 October 2026, Liverpool take on Villarreal at Anfield, in matchday three of the Champions League league phase. Kick-off is at 21:00 CEST and Szymon Marciniak is the referee. Andoni Iraola’s side have six points from two games after beating Atlético Madrid 2-1 and winning 6-3 at LASK. Iñigo Pérez’s Villarreal have three after losing 3-2 at Borussia Dortmund and beating Napoli 3-1. Both teams have scored in all four of those matches.
“I am thinking of the best XI for Villarreal but maybe it is not the one you think because some are not fresh enough.” – Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola
Predicted lineups: Liverpool vs Villarreal
Liverpool lost two players in Saturday’s 2-1 win at Brentford. Dominik Szoboszlai suffered a recurrence of his thigh problem and went off after 32 minutes, and Jeremie Frimpong lasted only seven minutes after coming on at half-time before a new muscle injury. Hugo Ekitiké, Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley remain long-term absentees. Ryan Gravenberch is available after serving a domestic ban, Cody Gakpo should play, and Joe Gomez and Kostas Tsimikas are expected at full-back. Villarreal are without Nicolas Pépé after eye surgery, while Tajon Buchanan is back in training after a hamstring problem but may not start.
Liverpool Team News & Preview
Liverpool have won six of their last eight games, but the performances have been uneven. At Brentford they trailed at half-time and only turned it round after the hosts went down to ten men, with Isak scoring the winner. Before that they lost 3-0 at home to Manchester City, and their European wins have come with goals conceded: Atlético scored at Anfield and LASK scored three in Linz, even if Liverpool led 4-0 after 51 minutes.
The injuries hit two areas at once. Szoboszlai has been one of the main drivers of the midfield press, and Frimpong’s absence leaves Iraola relying on Gomez on the right. With Brighton on Sunday, Iraola has said he wants starters who feel 100%, which points to changes. Liverpool still have Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak to create and finish, and Iraola wants a repeat of the performance against Atlético.
What works for or against Liverpool
- Two wins from two in the Champions League, with eight goals scored.
- Goals conceded in both European games and a 3-0 home defeat to Manchester City.
- Szoboszlai and Frimpong are fresh absentees.
- Rotation is likely with Brighton on Sunday.
Villarreal Team News & Preview
Villarreal have found their feet after a winless start to the season, winning three of their last five games. The one defeat in that run came at the Bernabéu, where they had plenty of the ball and the better chances through Moleiro and Gueye before losing 1-0, and then pushed hard against ten men after Vinícius was sent off. Pérez rotated heavily for Saturday’s 0-0 with Elche, a game Villarreal dominated without finding a goal, so his first-choice players should be fresh.
Pérez made it clear he expects Liverpool to press relentlessly and has no intention of hiding his side’s identity. That approach has produced goals at both ends in Europe: three conceded in Dortmund, two scored there, then three past Napoli. Alberto Moleiro, Gerard Moreno and Georges Mikautadze give them enough quality to hurt a reshuffled Liverpool back line.
What works for or against Villarreal
- Five goals in two Champions League games.
- First-choice players rested for the weekend draw with Elche.
- Only one away win in their first six away games this season.
- Conceded 4.5 xG across their two Champions League games.
Liverpool vs Villarreal Odds
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Liverpool vs. Villarreal Form Guide
Liverpool Form, Stats & Data
Liverpool’s attack is flying in Europe, with 2.45 xG and seven shots on target per game, but they are also allowing 1.50 xG per game and have conceded twice per match. The 6-3 in Linz inflates both sides of that, yet it fits a wider pattern of Liverpool games being open this season. Losing Szoboszlai’s work rate in midfield is unlikely to make them harder to play through.
Villarreal Form, Stats & Data
Villarreal have outscored their xG in Europe, so I would not expect them to keep scoring 2.5 goals a game at Anfield. But they average five shots on target per match, keep half the ball and are clearly willing to attack. Their 2.25 xG against per game is the bigger number, and it explains why I expect Liverpool to find the net too.
Liverpool vs Villarreal: Prediction & Betting Tip
I like Both Teams to Score at 1.58. Liverpool have conceded in both European games and lost two key players at the weekend, including the midfielder who does much of their pressing. Villarreal have scored in every Champions League game, rested their best players on Saturday and have a manager who says openly that he will not sit back. Liverpool’s attack, meanwhile, should have no trouble scoring against a side allowing over two xG per game.
My main concern is Anfield itself and Liverpool’s quality: if they score early and keep the ball, Villarreal could spend long spells without it, and their own xG of 1.35 per game is modest. That is why I prefer goals at both ends to a Villarreal-friendly handicap. My main bet is Both Teams to Score – Yes at 1.58 with Winz. My correct-score pick is 3-1.