The reds were without their in form defender, Mamadu Sakho. The Frenchman was ban by UEFA after suspecting him taking hard drugs against Manchester United in the round 16 player. And that gives Liverpool a huge blow with striker Origi on injury line, setting more misery to the Premier League side.
The Yellow Submarine dissected their opponents deep into injury time and Denis Suarez provided the killer pass to give the Spaniards a first-leg lead in front of their own fans.
Villarreal left it late to take the initiative in the Europa League semi-final, prevailing 1-0 over Liverpool thanks to Adrian Lopez’s last-minute strike.
Adrian, who scored in Atletico Madrid’s Champions League semi-final win over Chelsea in 2014, was on hand to potentially deal out further misery to a Premier League side, while Liverpool will need another inspired Anfield night next week.