Jurgen Klopp insists Liverpool will not underestimate Villarreal

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has insisted that the Reds will not be underestimating Villarreal ahead of their Champions League semi-final.

Unai Emery has guided the Yellow Submarine to victories over Juventus and Bayern Munich en route to the final four, with the first leg taking place at Anfield on Wednesday night.

Liverpool are still regarded as the favourites to advance to the final, but Klopp has affirmed that his side will pay Emery's side the respect they deserve before the trip to La Ceramica.

"Villarreal are made for this competition to be honest. Juventus and Bayern may have under-estimated them, that won't happen to us," Klopp told reporters at his pre-match press conference.

"They are a really, really good football team who want to make history as well. They are seventh in the league, but they have had a really good run of results. They beat Bayern - they beat Valencia - Spain is a very competitive league as well. Unai shows he has a plan for each result, whether 1-0 up or 1-0 down.

"There are moments when we will suffer tomorrow night and I know that. We don't need to get nervous but we can make them suffer too. We will work with our result and fight at Villarreal because it means everything to us."

Klopp previously hailed Villarreal boss Emery as the "king of the cups" after advancing past Benfica into the semi-finals of the Champions League.