Villarreal must stop the flow to Thiago to prevent Liverpool getting into their unstoppable rhythm

COQUELIN HAS TO TAIL THIAGO

You can hear the coos of appreciation from supporters when Thiago Alcantara makes one of those trademark forward passes of his. The vision is worth admiring and so is the execution in how it pierces the opposition.

He’s such a satisfying player to watch and his influence on Liverpool is there for all to see.

In doing their homework, Villarreal will have noted how Thiago managed more passes than the entire Everton team put together in Sunday’s Merseyside derby. He attempted 121 and completed 119, giving him an accuracy of 98 per cent.

Against Manchester United last week, it was 96 per cent. Against Manchester City before that, it was 90 per cent.

These are silly numbers amid such a demanding workload — Thiago is so influential that he’s starting every big game in Liverpool’s Quadruple chase — and now it is Villarreal’s turn to try to stop the flow to him in this first leg.

On Wednesday night, Thiago will represent a personal challenge for Francis Coquelin. That’s his man, no ifs, ands or buts. He’ll try to get so close that Thiago walks off that pitch at Anfield wearing his aftershave.

Liverpool love nothing more than getting into that special rhythm of theirs. They’re almost unstoppable once they’re in that. Coquelin versus Thiago will be some battle.

REDS CAN PLAY IT COOL

Nobody has scored more goals away from home in the Champions League this season than Liverpool and their 15. So although tonight’s tie is at Anfield, Klopp’s side can afford to be patient. There’s no need for a gung-ho, must-score-several approach.

They can feel safe in the knowledge that there isn’t a club out there better at silencing an opposition crowd than them.

Liverpool may be favourites on paper but Villarreal should not be seen as pushovers. They are such an organised side and, as we all know, knockout football specialists under Unai Emery.

I’m sure Emery will have an inner desire to prove a point on his return to England. He was criticised when in the Premier League, and sometimes ridiculed, but now he has the chance to go to the home of Liverpool and thwart their plans of a Quadruple. The stage is set for a great first leg.

SCHEDULE EASES TOON TASK

Klopp may not be pleased with the fixture schedule — how Liverpool are playing in the Champions League tonight and then at 12.30pm in the Premier League at Newcastle on Saturday. But there is a silver lining to getting the early kick-off at St James’ Park.

I’d much prefer that to the evening. Why? Because of the atmosphere. If Liverpool were heading to Newcastle and kicking off at 5.30pm, St James’ would be bouncing. The locals would have spent all day looking forward to creating a 10 out of 10 atmosphere.

It’s hard to get that same electricity in a 12.30pm start. It’s just not the same. St James’ will still be alive, I’m sure, but it could’ve been worse, Reds!