Liverpool v Villarreal preview: kick-off time, team news and form
Liverpool welcome Villarreal to Anfield on Tuesday 20th October 2026 for a 8.00pm kick-off in the League Phase of the Champions League, with Liverpool looking to make it three wins from three in this season's competition.
There's plenty at stake for a Liverpool side sitting fifth in the Premier League but flying in Europe. Liverpool currently top the group alongside Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona on six points from two games, level on points but ranked fifth due to goal difference, having scored eight and conceded four. Villarreal, by contrast, sit down in 14th place with three points from two matches after a win and a defeat, and go into this one in what This Is Anfield describe as "faltering form" (This Is Anfield).
Recent domestic results have been mixed for Liverpool, who beat Bournemouth and Brentford in the league either side of a heavy defeat to Manchester City, while also putting six past LASK Linz in their last Champions League outing. Villarreal have had an up-and-down spell too, beating Málaga and Levante before losing to Real Madrid, then bouncing back with a win over Napoli in Europe before being held by Elche at the weekend.
There's an intriguing subplot in the dugouts. The Guardian reports that Villarreal boss Iñigo Pérez will come face to face with Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola, having previously worked as his assistant, in what is described as "a test of old bond" (The Guardian). This Is Anfield add that it's "a special game" for Iraola, noting he has reportedly "stopped talking" to his former colleague in the Villarreal dugout (This Is Anfield), while Liverpool.com suggest the familiarity could work against Liverpool, with Iraola facing "an old friend" who could "haunt" his current side (Liverpool.com).
Team news is a major talking point ahead of kick-off, with widespread reports of absentees. Liverpool Echo report that as many as eight players could be ruled out for the visit of Villarreal (Liverpool Echo), while a separate Echo piece raises the possibility of nine missing players following a "triple Andoni Iraola blow" picked up against Brentford (Liverpool Echo). This Is Anfield's team news update lists one doubt and seven ruled out of the available squad (This Is Anfield), and Liverpool.com confirm Dominik Szoboszlai is set for a spell out after limping off against Brentford, though they suggest Iraola "already has the perfect antidote" to the blow (Liverpool.com). There have also been further fitness concerns raised following Monday's open training session at the AXA Training Centre, according to the Liverpool Echo (Liverpool Echo) and Liverpool.com (Liverpool.com).
On the squad front, This Is Anfield report that Victor Munoz was absent from training while Jayden Danns has joined up with the squad ahead of the game (This Is Anfield). Liverpool Echo also carried comments from defender Ronald Araujo, who has been speaking ahead of the clash about his time at the club so far (Liverpool Echo).
You can follow all the action from Anfield when Liverpool host Villarreal in the Champions League, with kick-off at 8.00pm UK time on Tuesday 20th October 2026.
Written with the help of AI, using the match facts and the headlines from the publishers credited above. Each point links to the original report — tap the source name to read it in full.