Liverpool face Villarreal in Europa League

LONDON: Liverpool’s reward for their stirring Europa League fightback against Borussia Dortmund was a semi-final against Spanish side Villarreal in Friday’s draw that also pitched holders Sevilla against Shakhtar Donetsk.

Juergen Klopp’s Liverpool came from 3-1 down against Dortmund to win 4-3 with a goal in stoppage time that secured a 5-4 aggregate success.

They will now travel to Spain for the first leg against Villarreal, who are fourth in La Liga, on April 28 with the return at Anfield on May 5.

They have a terrible record playing against Premier League opposition, however, and are without a win in their last 10 games against English sides.

Liverpool, despite their struggles in the Premier League this season, will begin as favourites as they bid to reach a 12th European final, meeting a Villarreal side who have never contested a single one.