Liverpool booked their place in the Europa League final with an impressive 3-0 win over Spanish side Villarreal at Anfield on Thursday night. This sets up a final in Basel against the resident champions, Sevilla, who are the back-to- back and current holders of the trophy.
Jurgen Klopp‘ s side went into the return fixture a goal down having conceded a late strike in the first leg. The high intensity displayed by Liverpool was the difference between the two, which enabled the Reds to run out comfortable winners over a very useful Villarreal side.
They were set on their way when the experienced Bruno Soriano put through his own net early on, after just 7 minutes. Daniel Sturridge who has struggled this season with a number of injuries swung the tie in his side favour just after the hour, making it 2-1 on aggregate to set up a nervy finish.
Villarreal’s task was made that much more difficult when Victor Ruiz saw his second yellow card of the game with 20 minutes left to go for stamping out at Lallana. The Spaniards were punished for their petulance 10 minutes from time, when Lallana himself sealed the win to earn the Anfield side their first European final since 2007.
Under-fire England striker, Sturridge was very impressive on Thursday night and earned the praise from his manager who said according to the Guardian,”…the performance exceeded all my expectations. I have no words to describe it, particularly the power we showed in the first half”.
This comes days after reports claiming that there was a struggle of sorts between the two, with Sturridge’s injury crisis becoming an apparent issue for the club. But the German’s tribute to his front man appeared to have resolved the problem, and will now have the the 26-year- old in good form for the remainder of the campaign.
Liverpool will have no easy task of lifting their first piece of silverware under Klopp since his arrival earlier this season. The Reds were edged out of the Carling Cup in a penalty shoot-out against Manchester City earlier this season, with a repeat outcome not in the script for the 5 time champions of Europe.
Lifting the trophy could be the start of a new era for the Merseysiders; an era in which they return to the top level. Though inconsistent, there have been dramatic improvements since the club replaced former boss Brendan Rodgers last October, and given time, a manager with the reputation of Klopp could be the right person to ensure such progress.
But Sevilla, who are looking to earn an unprecedented third straight competition win stand in their way. The La Liga side powered into the finals by defeating Ukranian giants Shakthar Donesk 3-1 on the night (5-3 on aggregate), with Frenchman Kevin Gameiro proving the difference with three goals during the tie.
The final takes place on Wednesday 18th May at the home of Swiss champions FC Basel, a ground Liverpool are familiar with having played there a number of times in their last few.European campaigns. Whatever the result, a milestone achievement will be made. It’s just whether Klopp can earn his first trophy for the club or whether the Spanish side can create history and complete a hatrick of successes in the Europa League format.