• Liverpool fans gather outside Anfield before the Champions League semi-final first leg against Villarreal on April 27. Reuters
    Liverpool fans gather outside Anfield before the Champions League semi-final first leg against Villarreal on April 27. Reuters
  • Liverpool fans outside Anfield. Reuters
    Liverpool fans outside Anfield. Reuters
  • Soccer Football - Champions League - Semi Final - First Leg - Liverpool v Villarreal - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - April 27, 2022 Liverpool fans with flares outside the stadium as the team coach arrives before the match REUTERS / Phil Noble TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
    Soccer Football - Champions League - Semi Final - First Leg - Liverpool v Villarreal - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - April 27, 2022 Liverpool fans with flares outside the stadium as the team coach arrives before the match REUTERS / Phil Noble TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
  • Villarreal's coach arrives prior to the game. AFP
    Villarreal's coach arrives prior to the game. AFP
  • Liverpool fans with flares outside the stadium. Reuters
    Liverpool fans with flares outside the stadium. Reuters
  • Liverpool fans hold flares outside the stadium as the team coach arrives. Reuters
    Liverpool fans hold flares outside the stadium as the team coach arrives. Reuters
  • A bus carrying Villarreal players arrives ahead of the Champions League semi-final. AP
    A bus carrying Villarreal players arrives ahead of the Champions League semi-final. AP
  • A fan shop opens up outside Anfield Stadium. AP
    A fan shop opens up outside Anfield Stadium. AP
  • A fan shop opens up outside Anfield Stadium. AP
    A fan shop opens up outside Anfield Stadium. AP
  • Liverpool fans with flares outside the stadium. Reuters
    Liverpool fans with flares outside the stadium. Reuters
  • Liverpool fans with flares outside the stadium. Reuters
    Liverpool fans with flares outside the stadium. Reuters
  • Liverpool fans greet their team bus. PA
    Liverpool fans greet their team bus. PA
  • Liverpool's fans cheer as their team bus arrives. AFP
    Liverpool's fans cheer as their team bus arrives. AFP
  • Liverpool fans greet their team bus. PA
    Liverpool fans greet their team bus. PA
  • Liverpool's fans cheer as their team bus arrives. AFP
    Liverpool's fans cheer as their team bus arrives. AFP
  • Liverpool fans greet their team bus. PA
    Liverpool fans greet their team bus. PA
  • Liverpool fans greet their team bus. PA
    Liverpool fans greet their team bus. PA
  • Liverpool fans outside the stadium before the match. Action Images
    Liverpool fans outside the stadium before the match. Action Images
  • Liverpool fans with flares outside the stadium. Reuters
    Liverpool fans with flares outside the stadium. Reuters
  • Liverpool fans greet their team bus. PA
    Liverpool fans greet their team bus. PA

Liverpool fans set off flares in readiness for massive European night - in pictures


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Liverpool fans were expecting another European night to remember as they gathered to watch their team take on Villarreal in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final at Anfield.

The six-time European Cup winners were the big favourites to advance to the final against either Manchester City or Real Madrid, and the supporters were out in force prior to the game to greet the team bus and let off flares.

Manager Jurgen Klopp made three expected changes with Ibrahima Konate replacing Joel Matip in central defence, Jordan Henderson in for Naby Keita in midfield and Luis Diaz starting ahead of Diogo Jota from Sunday’s Merseyside derby win.

Kostas Tsimikas and Curtis Jones both missed out on the squad due to non-Covid-related illness.

Updated: April 27, 2022, 6:45 PM