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Villarreal have landed in Liverpool ahead of their Europa League semi-final
The Yellow Submarine were greeted by a large brightly coloured watercraft
Liverpool must overturn first-leg defeat after 1-0 loss at El Madrigal

Published: 11:10 EST, 4 May 2016 | Updated: 12:14 EST, 4 May 2016

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Villarreal's first-team stars were greeted by a home comfort as they landed in Liverpool to the welcoming sight of a Yellow Submarine on Wednesday afternoon.

The Europa League semi-finalists, who are nicknamed Yellow Submarine, posed for a picture next to a large statue of a brightly coloured watercraft outside Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

Star striker Cedric Bakambu and reserve goalkeeper Alphonse Areola were among the Villarreal players to take a picture as they arrived in Liverpool.

Villarreal players Cedric Bakambu and Alphonse Areola were among the players to stand next to a 51-foot statue of a Yellow Submarine at Liverpool John Lennon Airport

A large Yellow Submarine is placed outside Liverpool John Lennon Airport in tribute to the Beatles

Bakambu (left) and Villarreal central midfielder Tomas Pina (right) touched down in Liverpool

Goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo (left) and forward Leonardo Baptistao (right) will be hoping to progress to the final

(L-R) Bakambu, Areola, Antonio Rukavina and Baptistao stroll through Liverpool after landing in England

The 51-foot Yellow Submarine statue in Liverpool was built by 80 apprentices at a British shipbuilding company back in 1984.

The large model was inspired by Liverpool rock band The Beatles following their song on 1966 album Revolver.

Villarreal are hoping to set up a Europa League final clash with either holders Sevilla or Shakhtar Donetsk by eliminating opponents Liverpool on Thursday.

The Spanish outfit go into the second leg with a one-goal lead thanks to Adrian Lopez's 90th-minute goal at El Madrigal.

Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool side need to score two goals without reply if they are to progress inside 90 minutes while an away goal by Villarreal could win the tie for the Spaniards.

Liverpool will be without long-term absentees Joe Gomez (knee), Jordan Henderson (knee), Divock Origi (ankle) and Danny Ings (knee) all remaining out.

Eric Bailly and Leo Baptistao have both recovered from the injuries that kept them on the sidelines during their 2-0 weekend win over Valencia that saw Villarreal secure a top-four finish.