Old Friends Meet as Liverpool Face Villarreal in Champions League Clash

Andoni Iraola calls it a special game to face his close friend and former team-mate Inigo Perez when Liverpool host Villarreal at Anfield in the Champions League on Tuesday at 20.00 BST. Perez is 38 years old and manages the Spanish side after working as Iraola's assistant at Rayo Vallecano during the 2022-23 season. Iraola previously tried to bring him to Bournemouth, but Perez was denied a work permit by a panel after the United Kingdom left the European Union. Perez later became the manager of Rayo Vallecano, led them to the Conference League final where they lost to Crystal Palace, and moved to Villarreal in the summer.

Team News

For the league-phase fixture at Anfield, Liverpool recall Ryan Gravenberch to midfield following his one-match Premier League suspension. Trey Nyoni also earns a start in the side. Kostas Tsimikas starts in defence alongside Cody Gakpo, Lewis Koumas, and Rio Ngumoha in the starting eleven.

Context

Long-time friends in football often find themselves facing each other in high-stakes European matches like the Champions League. Work permit rules in the United Kingdom changed following Brexit, affecting how football clubs hire coaching staff from outside the country. Both managers share a deep history from their time playing together at Athletic Club before moving into coaching roles.