Liverpool need strong mentality to beat Villarreal, says Fernando Morientes

 

 

 

Former Liverpool and Real Madrid striker Fernando Morientes admits his old side have their work cut out to get past Villarreal and reach the Europa League final.

Liverpool produced a stunning fightback, twice coming from two goals behind to beat Borussia Dortmund 4-3 on Thursday night and 5-4 on aggregate, after Dejan Lovren's injury-time header at Anfield.
They were drawn to play the Yellow Submarine in Friday's draw at UEFA headquarters in Nyon but Morientes believes playing the second leg at Anfield gives Liverpool the upper hand.

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"They have a stadium which might not hold too many people but they play very good football. They have a very strong mentality and the coach always tries to attack. It's always the same.
"But it's the same with Liverpool they always try to score the goal that will win them the match. Villarreal are a very good team and I think next year they will play in the Champions League for sure.

 

 

"Liverpool will need to play with a strong mentality in both games because Villarreal can score and they have good strikers."
Asked about the prospect of Jurgen Klopp's side playing the second leg at home, Morientes said: "That is one point to Liverpool. It is better for them to play the second game in Liverpool."

 

 

Morientes made 60 appearances during 18 months at Liverpool after joining the Merseysiders from Real Madrid in January 2005.
He won the European Super Cup with Liverpool later that year but was cup-tied for the Champions League campaign, which saw the Reds win the competition after coming back from three goals down to beat AC Milan on penalties in an epic final in Istanbul.

 

 

Morientes - who also played for Monaco, Marseille and Valencia during his glittering 22-year playing career - admits he saw no way back for Liverpool on Thursday night after they trailed 3-1 with 33 minutes remaining.
"In Europe, it is always difficult to win if you need to score three goals," he said.
"It was amazing. It was a very exciting game but after Reus scored Borussia's third goal, I thought the game was over.

 

 

"Istanbul was similar but it was the final of the Champions League.
"But Liverpool played a great second half and the atmosphere at Anfield was so important in helping them win the game. Players like to play in that kind of atmosphere. It was spectacular.