Dejan Lovren insists Liverpool need to be 'clever and patient' as Reds look to fight back against Villarreal to reach Europa League final

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Dejan Lovren has vowed Liverpool will be 'clever' and 'patient' as they look to plot a course to their first European final in nine years.

The Croatia international was the hero in the quarter-final against Borussia Dortmund, scoring the last gasp header that pulled Liverpool back from the brink and set up a last-four showdown with Villarreal. 

Liverpool find themselves in a position after the first leg, though, when another hero will need to step forward and help retrieve a 1-0 first leg deficit.

Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren speaks to the media at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon

Lovren and his team-mates celebrate after he scores to complete Liverpool's comeback against Dortmund

There is an expectation that Liverpool will come flying out of the blocks to wipe out the deficit early but Lovren has pointed out that there is no need for him or his team-mates to commit themselves too soon as they only need one goal to get back on terms.

Lovren said: 'We need to be clever and patient. I believe in our team we have shown many times we can play when 1-0 or 2-0 down. I believe we can get to the final.

'I hope we will not start like we did against Dortmund. We did not expect to start 2-0 down and then 3-1. 

Lovren (left) speaks at the press conference as Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp watches on

Adrian celebrates after scoring the winner for Villarreal against Liverpool at El Madrigal last week

'I would say it was an historic [moment] for us, me and the fans, we showed our character and showed we will never stop to believe until the last minute. 

'We do not repeat this game. We want to repeat it smoothly to win tomorrow. I think I will remember that for my lifetime.'

But there is no disguising the sense of anticipation - Liverpool supporters will flank Anfield Road to greet the team before kick-off - and Lovren is determined to create another magical evening to set up a showdown in Basel against either Shakthar Donetsk or Sevilla on May 18. 

Lovren said: 'Maybe it will be even more than 90 minutes. We need to be clever. We don’t have 20 minutes we have 90 minutes so everything is possible. 

'The fans expect a massive game and we will take it smarter than last time. It will be a great season if we can win it.'

Lovren (left) and Klopp arrive for the press conference at Liverpool's Melwood training ground on Wednesday