You'll have plenty to celebrate when you subscribe to the Liverpool FC newsletter Sign me up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Adam Lallana has revealed that Jurgen Klopp delivered a defiant message to the Liverpool players after they were hit by a “massive sucker punch” at El Madrigal.

Adrian Lopez's stoppage-time strike gave Villarreal a 1-0 first-leg lead in their Europa League semi-final.

Klopp responded to that setback by issuing a rallying call inside the away dressing room – telling the Reds not to dwell on that late blow and insisting the Spaniards will be “there for the taking” at Anfield next Thursday night.

“It was a massive sucker punch, so hard to take,” Lallana said.

“The manager told us: 'do not worry'. He said: 'be disappointed for five minutes but no longer - wait until we get them back home'.

“He told us that we have got the fans and then he said: 'we will make it another magical night next week'.

The game in pictures:

“It would have been easy to get deflated. It's only natural that we are disappointed after conceding in injury time. But we are over it. The manager told us we have to be.

“I keep thinking about Dortmund and what happened then. The fans have got a massive role to play.

“We are going to make it a rocking atmosphere and we will get the two goals that we need. The manager has told us that they are there for the taking.”

It was a cagey first leg in Spain with few clear cut chances. Roberto Firmino came closest to grabbing a precious away goal for the Reds when his low strike was tipped on to the post.

Villarreal rarely threatened themselves but Lopez punished some slack defending late on when Alberto Moreno was caught out of position.

“On another day, we nick it 1-0. It's almost a brilliant away performance,” Lallana added.

“Even 0-0 would have been a great result to take back to Anfield.

“But listen, these things happen. We still have massive confidence about taking them back to Anfield. It will be a completely different game.

“We showed that we can create chances against them. We have got to back ourselves and we will.

“The last couple of years we have got to the semi-finals of both domestic cup competitions.

“This year we have been in a final and we're here in another semi-final. We put ourselves under pressure to get to finals.

“We are still in the tie. We will have a right good go next week. Anfield will be bouncing. Trust me, I cannot wait for next week.”