Villarreal vs Liverpool: What time does it start, what channel is it on and where can I watch it?

A look ahead to the Europa League semi-final first-leg at the Estadio El Madrigal

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp celebrates the victory over Borussia Dortmund (Getty)

It’s a big game for...

Kolo Toure: The defender returned to the starting line-up for Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Newcastle last weekend, and the Ivorian will want to convince Jurgen Klopp that he is the man who can replace Mamadou Sakho after his failed drug test – which looks likely to land him a long ban from football.

With Liverpool seeing a 2-0 lead disappear against Newcastle with Dejan Lovren and Toure in defence, Klopp may be tempted to deploy Lucas at centre-back given that Martin Skrtel is out-of-favour. If Toure gets another chance, he needs to seize it with both hands.

Likely teams...

Villarreal: Areola; Rukavina, Gaspar, Ruiz, Bailly; Bruno, Samu Castillejo, Denis Suarez, Trigueros; Soldado, Bakumbu.

Liverpool: Mignolet; Clyne, Lovren, Toure, Moreno; Lucas, Milner, Lallana; Firmino, Coutinho, Sturridge.

Best stat...

4: This is the fourth time Villarreal have reached a European semi-final, having featured in the Champions League last four in 2006 and the Europa League in both 2004 and 2011. However, history is in Liverpool’s favour, given the El Submarino Amarilla – the Yellow Submarine – have never progressed to a final.

Remember when...

Liverpool won the Uefa Cup? Liverpool and Villarreal have never met each other before, so instead we’ll look at the last time the Reds won the Europa League – or the Uefa Cup as it was known back in 2001 – when they defeated another Spanish side in Alaves to lift the trophy.

It proved to be a nine-goal thriller, with Liverpool surging into a 2-0 lead through Markus Babbel and Steven Gerrard. Alaves hit back through Ivan Alonso before Gary McAllister made it 3-1 at half-time, but barely four minutes into the second half the match was level after a Javi Moreno double. Robbie Fowler put Liverpool back in the lead only for Jordi Cruyff to score an 88th-minute equaliser and send the match to extra-time, paving the way for a Delfi Geli own-goal to hand Liverpool victory.

Watch the highlights below...

Player to look out for...

Daniel Sturridge: The Liverpool striker is getting back to his best in front of goal, having scored in his last three outings which included a winner against Bournemouth. With his place in the England side now in the hands of Tottenham’s Harry Kane, Sturridge has much to prove in the remainder of the season, but he certainly has the talent to do just that and mark his name on the Europa League.

Daniel Sturridge celebrates scoring for Liverpool against Newcastle (Getty)

Past meetings...

Liverpool have never played Villarreal.

Form (last six matches)...

Villarreal: DLLWWW

Liverpool: DWWWWD

Odds…

Villarreal: 29/20

Liverpool: 21/10

Draw: 11/5

(Odds provided by BetVictor)

Vital information:

Kick-off: 20:05 on Thursday 28 April.

TV: Live on BT Sport Europe at 19.15, highlights on ITV at 22.40.