Jurgen Klopp hailed Unai Emery as a "world-class coach" and vowed Liverpool will not underestimate Champions League semi-final opponents Villarreal.
The Reds are still in contention for an unprecedented quadruple and enter Wednesday's first leg with Villarreal at Anfield as strong favourites to advance to next month's final.
However, the Spanish club stunned Juventus in the last 16 and followed that up by eliminating a much-fancied Bayern Munich side in the quarter-finals.
Villarreal's domestic form has improved of late, meanwhile, having won back-to-back LaLiga games – against Getafe and Valencia – to move into seventh place.
Liverpool have progressed from nine of their previous 11 European Cup and Champions League semi-finals, but Klopp is taking nothing for granted against Emery's Villarreal.
"We are here because we got the results we needed," Klopp said at Tuesday's pre-match news conference.
"It's special to be part of the semi-final. It's a massive game. So many coaches and players work their socks off to be close to a semi-final, so we have to cherish it but enjoy it.
"We face a difficult opponent. They are made for this competition. The way they set up is really good.
"They may have had a little advantage where Juve and Bayern maybe underestimated them. That never happens with us, no chance of that. That advantage may have gone.
"They are a good football team that wants to make history. It would be the first time they would make the final, which is massive for them. But for us, it's the same importance."
Emery guided Sevilla to a 3-1 Europa League final win over Klopp's Liverpool in 2016 – one of 11 trophies he has won across an 18-year coaching career.
He took charge of Villarreal in July 2020 following a disappointing stint at Arsenal and guided the Yellow Submarine to Europa League glory last season.
"I have a lot of respect for Unai and Villarreal," Klopp added. "I've analysed them properly, and wow. Impressive.
"Unai is a detailed-obsessed manager who prepared for all different situations in a game. That's what his team executes. Different ways to press and react on different results.
"It's really, really impressive. Unai is a world-class coach and doing an incredible job there. The good thing about the analysis is we're not involved in those games.
"We must make life as difficult for them as possible. That's what we try to do over these two legs."
Liverpool beat Villarreal 3-1 on aggregate in their only previous European encounter, in the 2015-16 Europa League semi-final, with both teams winning their home leg.
Villarreal have not won any of their last eight away games on English soil, a run that includes a 2-1 Champions League group-stage defeat to Manchester United in September.
And Klopp will be looking to take a victory to Estadio de la Ceramica for next week's reverse fixture as Liverpool aim to make it a clean sweep of trophies this season.
"We have two halves to play. We know when we to go Villarreal, it will be an emotional atmosphere," Klopp said. "There are moments where we will suffer tomorrow.
"I know that already and that's what we have to be ready for. There's no need to be nervous, that's how it is. This advantage at home we have to use.
"Whichever result we will get, we will fight with it. It means everything to us to reach the Champions League final."
Stones relishing 'special' England moment after being handed Three Lions armband
Lee Carsley revealed that John Stones will lead out England in their Nations League clash against Greece on Thursday, with Harry Kane set to start the encounter on the bench.
Stones, who has made 81 caps for the Three Lions since his debut in 2014, will captain his nation for the first time at the start of a match.
During Gareth Southgate's tenure, only Kane (81) and Kyle Walker (70) made more appearances than Stones (68 - level with Jordan Pickford).
The Manchester City defender has become a mainstay in the England side in recent years, helping his nation to their two major tournament final appearances in consecutive European Championships.
"It's everything I could have dreamed of as a kid. More for my family, to be able to see me walk out as England captain is a special moment," Stones said.
"One I can't thank Lee enough for. An incredible moment for me.
"To be walking out with the armband on is an absolute honour and a moment I'll cherish forever."
"It was a great conversation I was able to have with John to ask him to captain the team," Carsley added.
"It's a brilliant achievement, something he deserves with the amount of caps he's got, the level of professionalism he's shown, the example he is to young players."
Carsley later confirmed Kane could still play a part against Greece and would be in the running to face Finland on Sunday.
Kane, who marked his 100th England appearance with two goals in the Three Lions' 2-0 win over Finland last month, suffered an ankle injury in Bayern Munich's draw with Bayer Leverkusen in his final match before the international break.
The 31-year-old has since trained away from the main group of players.
"Harry is nursing an injury, a small knock, something we won't take a chance with," said Carsley.
The interim Three Lions boss was also asked about the role of Cole Palmer, with the Chelsea forward enjoying a fine start to the Premier League campaign.
Palmer has scored six goals in seven games in the league this term, four of which came in a stunning display against Brighton, becoming the first player in Premier League history to net four times before half-time in a single match.
The 22-year-old leads the Premier League for the most goal involvements this campaign (11), with only Bukayo Saka (27) creating more chances in the top flight this season than Palmer (23 - level with Andreas Pereira and Dwight McNeil).
Palmer was also recently named England's Men's Player of the Year for 2023-24, and Carsley expects him to carry on his impressive form in England's next two fixtures.
"Cole is in fantastic form. He's carried that into this week," said Carsley. "Such an exciting player, a player I've worked with for four, five years now.
"Cole, along with a lot of other attacking players who have put themselves into a great position to start the game."
Layzell enjoys dream Women's Champions League debut as Man City stun holders Barcelona
Naomi Layzell enjoyed a dream Women's Champions League debut as her goal and assist helped Manchester City stun holders Barcelona 2-0 on Wednesday.
Layzell was playing her football in the Women's Super League last season with relegated Bristol City, but was the star of the show at the Joie Stadium.
City were making their first appearance in the competition since falling to a 4-2 quarter-final loss to the Catalan side in March 2021, and exacted their revenge with a plucky display.
The hosts, however, almost found themselves a goal behind with just three minutes on the clock when Caroline Hansen took aim and saw her effort cannon off the post, shortly before Lauren Hemp struck the woodwork with a strike of her own.
City grew into the contest and almost got the goal their performance merited in the 35th minute when Vivianne Miedema teed up Khadija Shaw, only to see her effort saved by Cata Coll.
But from the resulting corner, Gareth Taylor's side got their noses in front as Miedema brilliantly headed the ball back into the danger area, with Layzell sliding in to mark her Champions League debut with a goal.
Barcelona had only failed to score once in their past 79 games heading into the encounter, and improved after the interval in their search for an equaliser.
Aitana Bonmati forced Ayaka Yamashita into making a smart save down to her right, with substitute Claudia Pina going close from distance as City were forced to withstand a relentless wave of pressure from the defending champions.
But the hosts landed a sucker punch in the 77th minute on the counter, with Layzell turning provider for Shaw, with the striker riding the challenge of Patri Guijarro before rounding Coll to seal a memorable triumph for City.
The Citizens ended the contest with an expected goals (xG) total of 1.68 compared to Barca's 1.5, despite having four fewer shots than their opponents.
Taylor's side sit level on points with Hammarby in Group D, after the Swedish side beat Austria's St. Polten 2-0 earlier on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, in Group C, Juventus edged out Norwegian side Valerenga to kickstart their campaign with a victory at the Intility Arena.
Sofia Cantore's 29th minute strike proved to be the difference, with the Italian curling a fine right-footed effort beyond the grasp of Tove Enblom against the run of play.
Juventus continued to struggle throughout the contest, with Valerenga registering 25 shots, with six of those on target, ending with an xG total of 2.2.
Massimiliano Canzi's side go level with Bayern Munich at the top of the Group C following the German side's 5-2 thumping of Arsenal.
Klopp returns to football as Red Bull's head of global soccer
Jurgen Klopp has landed his first role since leaving Liverpool, with the German announced as the new global head of soccer at Red Bull.
Klopp, who ended his nine-year stint at Anfield earlier this year, has signed a long-term deal with the energy drinks brand, believed to be a five-year contract.
He will be responsible at the strategic management level for Red Bull's international network of clubs, which includes RB Leipzig, New York Red Bulls, Red Bull Bragantino and Red Bull Salzburg, who are managed by former assistant, Pep Lijnders.
Red Bull says Klopp will not be involved in day-to-day operations but will advise teams on playing philosophy, transfer strategy and coaching development.
Klopp will officially begin in the role at the start of next year.
"A few months ago I said I don't see myself on the sidelines any more and that is still the case," Klopp said on Instagram.
"But I still love football, I still love working, and Red Bull gives me the perfect platform for that."
Klopp has been on a break since leaving Liverpool at the end of last season, after a successful reign at Anfield.
During his time on Merseyside, Klopp won eight major honours, including ending the Reds' 30-year wait for a first Premier League title four years ago.
The German took charge of 489 games, winning 304 (D100 L85), with only Bill Shankly (729) and Bob Paisley (532) overseeing more matches than Klopp.
After leaving, the 57-year-old said he did not want to take a coaching role for the foreseeable future, but is understood to have secured an exit clause that especially applies to the Germany national team.
But for the time being, Klopp wants to use his experiences in his new role ahead of a potential return to the dugout.
"I want to share the experiences I have collected over the years," said Klopp.
"We all know there are more successful managers out there but in my career I have fought for promotion, fought for titles and I have fought for trophies.
"Sometimes we failed, sometimes we succeeded and dealing with that is not easy, but it is possible.
"Then I want to learn again. Because when you are in the job, and you have to play every three days, you barely have the time.
"I want to see, feel and figure out what is useful for football, developing football a little bit as well."
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