Liverpool vs Villarreal team news: Eric Bailly and Leo Baptistao return to give Marcelino fully fit squad

Villarreal have received a fillip ahead of their trip to Liverpool on 5 May, with the club confirming manager Marcelino Garcia Toral has a fully fit squad to choose from for the Europa League semi-final second leg. The boss has included all 22 players at his disposal in the travelling squad to Merseyside, after Eric Bailly and Leo Baptistao both recovered from the injuries that kept them sidelines during the weekend win over Valencia.

The Yellow Submarine visit Anfield with with their noses slightly ahead after beating Liverpool 1-0 last week with an injury-time winner from Adrian. Additionally, Garcia Toral's side arrive in good mood following the weekend win that saw them book a spot in the top four of La Liga and cementing their Champions League place for next season.

The Spanish manager rested a number of key players such as Mario, Victor Ruiz, Denis Suarez, Bruno Soriano and top scored Cedric Bakambu to keep them fresh for the crucial trip to Liverpool. Even so, his side still managed to secure an impressive 2-0 victory thanks to the goals of Samu García and Adrián.

Bailly and Baptistao both missed that game due to injury, but the club have now confirmed they are ready to return to action, being included in the 22-man squad that will travel to Liverpool on Wednesday.

"The Villarreal CF management team, led by Marcelino García Toral, have chosen their players for this Thursday's match against Liverpool FC, in correspondence with the second leg of the UEFA Europa League Semi-final that will be played at Anfield. All the players are available for this tie after Eric Bailly and Leo Baptistao recovered from their respective injuries," the Spanish club confirmed.

Bailly started at the hear of defence in the first leg against Liverpool. Meanwhile, Baptistao, who has been out of action since the defeat to Real Madrid on 20 April, is expected to start the game on the bench – but could have a role to play in the second half.