Samuel Chukwueze is aware that Liverpool are the favorites heading into their UEFA Champions League semifinal clash at Anfiled but has underlined that the Spanish side are not afraid of the Reds.

The Nigeria international played a key role as the Yellow Submarine reached the last four of the competition, scoring the equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Bayern Munich after coming off the bench.

Chukwueze has said that it would be a bigger achievement than winning last season's Europa League if Villarreal advance to the final at the expense of Liverpool.

Having knocked out Juventus and Bayern Munich in the previous rounds and won their last two matches against Getafe and Valencia in La Liga, Chukwueze and his teammates will not be lacking confidence against the Premier League side.

"The most important thing is to win the semi-finals. If we win the semi, maybe the celebration will be [bigger than the celebration after the UEFA Europa League win],' Chukwueze told the official website of UEFA.

"[It’s] my first Champions League and my first semi-finals. Reaching the final would be amazing. It would [make this] one of the best seasons of my life."

In addition, Chukwueze praised the work of Villarreal manager Unai Emery, saying that the Spaniard knows how to read the game well.

"The most important thing is the coach. He’s so fantastic. He knows how to read the game and everything. Reaching the semi-finals with this coach, I think, is amazing.

"It’s a dream come true for him also, and for the club. Playing Liverpool - they are one of the favourites, also, but we’re going to push, to show them that this is why we’re in the semi-finals."

Chukwueze concluded by revealing what makes the Villarreal squad so special and highlighted the team spirit in the group.

"What makes this Villarreal team so special is that they take themselves as a family, they look after each other, and they work for each other on the field.

"They don’t complain: ‘Oh, this person’s not doing his job’ or anything. They work together. That’s what it means. That’s what’s keeping us together, the work, the contact, everything".

Ifeanyi Emmanuel