Villarreal star reportedly on Klopp watch list in awe of double Liverpool strength ahead of CL clash

Reported Liverpool transfer target Arnaut Danjuma has labelled Liverpool as “one of the best clubs in the world” ahead of Villarreal’s Champions League semi-final with the Reds.

Unai Emery’s men, whose ‘Yellow Submarine’ nickname comes from the iconic Beatles song, have been the major underdogs in each of their knockout matches so far.

They have overcome the likes of Juventus and Bayern Munich and their run isn’t too dissimilar to that of Ajax’s in the 2018-19 season. The Eredivisie club narrowly missed out on the final after beating Real Madrid along the way.

Danjuma – who has regularly been mentioned alongside a summer move to Anfield – has therefore said that Villarreal aren’t in the semi-finals “by coincidence”.

“Maybe the rest of the world didn’t expect us to get this far, but we have always been confident,” he said via the Liverpool Echo.

“Our path to the semis was not easy, which makes it even better, but you don’t beat the teams we have beaten by coincidence, which is a good sign for us before facing Liverpool – another giant and one of the best clubs in the world.”

The Netherlands international signed for Villarreal in the summer transfer window after the most prolific season of his career for Bournemouth, where he scored 17 times in all competitions.

Since signing for Villareal, the left-winger has continued his purple patch of form, contributing to 16 goals so far this season. When available, he is one of the first names on Emery’s team-sheet.

Speaking recently about Danjuma, Emery said that his forward “is a striker even though he plays on the wing with the characteristics that Kylian Mbappé and Cristiano Ronaldo possess.”

The forward has a strong relationship with his manager and has reaffirmed his assurance that Emery is a tactical mastermind.

“We showed against Juve and Bayern that it’s not luck,” Danjuma said. “We have a strategy – a style of play. Juve and Bayern are two totally different teams.

“Juventus are one of the best defensive teams in the world, while Bayern have some of the best forwards in the world and play very attacking football. For us to be able to beat them showed our quality and strategy.”

Danjuma in awe of Liverpool

Danjuma didn’t hold back the praise for Klopp’s team and highlighted two key areas of the Reds’ play that he has been “amazed” at watching.

“The two things that amaze me are the intense high press – they do that so well – and the high defensive line,” he said.

“As a forward, it is so great to have a high defensive line behind you because it keeps you high up the pitch.”

The Netherlands attacker plays alongside Virgil Van Dijk in the national team and has applauded the way he controls a match and how much of a challenge he feels he will be faced with being on the opposing team.

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“I want to play against the best to prove myself and test myself against the best,” Danjuma said.

“That’s why I play this game. Obviously playing against Virg will be special for me because he is my captain in the national team.

“Defensively, I don’t think it gets any better than him, but I want to rank myself against the best. I think I’ve shown so far in my career that I can cause some damage.

“I have to keep doing it and be consistent, so I’m looking forward to a game against someone of his profile.”

Liverpool got past Inter and Benfica to reach this season’s Champions League semi-final.