LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, September 20, 2015: Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge in action during the Premier League match against Norwich City at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Sturridge starts as Reds eye goals – Confirmed Liverpool lineup vs. Villarreal

Daniel Sturridge starts for Liverpool in tonight’s Europa League semi-final second leg, as the Reds welcome Villarreal to Anfield (KO 8.05pm BST).

The striker sat out of the first leg, watching on as the Reds lost 1-0 at Estadio El Madrigal, but with Jurgen Klopp‘s side needing at least two goals to reach the Europa League final, he starts in an attack-heavy lineup on Merseyside.

Simon Mignolet comes back into his position in goal, replacing Danny Ward in one of a number of changes from Sunday’s 3-1 defeat away to Swansea City.

Nathaniel Clyne and Dejan Lovren keep their places in defence, but Kolo Toure and Alberto Moreno return to form the strongest back four at Klopp’s disposal.

The return of Emre Can from injury sees the German take up a spot in Klopp’s midfield, alongside James Milner in what is likely to be a 4-2-3-1 setup.

Supporting Sturridge in Liverpool’s four-pronged attack are Adam Lallana, Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho, providing Klopp with plenty of firepower as he pushes for his second final of 2015/16.

Joining Ward on the bench are Martin Skrtel, Brad Smith, Lucas Leiva, Joe Allen, Jordon Ibe and Christian Benteke.

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

Substitutes: Ward, Skrtel, Smith, Lucas, Allen, Ibe, Benteke

Villarreal: Areola; Mario, Musacchio, Victor, Costa; Dos Santos, Pina, Bruno, Suarez; Soldado, Bakambu

Substitutes: Asenjo, Bonera, Rukavina, Trigueros, Samuel, Castillejo, Lopez

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