Liverpool vs. Villarreal: Marcelino Issues Christian Benteke Taunt to Reds

Villarreal manager Marcelino has taunted Liverpool ahead of the second leg of their UEFA Europa League semi-final by suggesting Reds flop Christian Benteke cost as much as the Yellow Submarine's entire turnover.

The Spanish side lead Liverpool 1-0 in the tie ahead of Thursday's crucial second leg at Anfield.

Adrian scored a last-minute winner at the Estadio El Madrigal to give Villarreal the advantage, and Marcelino looked to stir things up with his jibe about Benteke, per Ian Tuckey in the Sun.

"Liverpool have an extraordinary squad when you consider Benteke cost €50 million (£39.5 million), which equates to the whole turnover of Villarreal," he said.

Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images

Tuckey pointed out that the £32.5 million Liverpool paid Aston Villa for the Belgian striker last summer is actually £7 million less than Marcelino claimed, but the point he was trying to make is clear.

Liverpool are European giants, while Villarreal are not, yet the La Liga side hold the edge going into Thursday's clash.

It is hardly a huge surprise, though. While the Reds are five-time European Cup (now known as the UEFA Champions League) winners, they are going through a period of transition under manager Jurgen Klopp and are eighth in the Premier League table. 

Villarreal, meanwhile, have enjoyed an excellent season and secured a return to the Champions League recently by guaranteeing a fourth-place finish in La Liga.

Liverpool's run to the UEFA Europa League's last four has been impressive but something of a surprise, as they have got past Premier League rivals Manchester United and Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund in the knockout rounds.

Klopp is still working with a squad that is not really his own, having succeeded Brendan Rodgers as Anfield boss in October last year.

Benteke has been one of the casualties of the change in manager, as he does not seem to fit into the German manager's system, per Bleacher Report's Dean Jones:

He is unlikely to be in the starting XI for Thursday's crucial match and could well depart Liverpool this summer following links with Leicester City, per Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Metro's Mark Brus).

But, in the likes of Daniel Sturridge and Roberto Firmino, Liverpool have effective attackers in their ranks who could turn the tie around on Thursday as the Reds look to book a final spot.