Liverpool Reach Europa League Final after Defeating Villarreal 3-1 on Aggregate

(Image credit: The Guardian)

Jurgen Klopp’s men are heading to Basel on May 28, where they’ll play defending champions Sevilla in the Europa League final.

Liverpool have overcome a 1-0 deficit from the first leg against Villarreal by beating them 3-0 at Anfield on Thursday night. Goals from Sturridge, Lallana and an own goal from Villarreal’s Bruno helped them reach the Europa League final for the first time since 2001.

The Reds boss Jurgen Klopp highlighted the importance that Daniel Sturridge played in the game, as his strike gave them a lead over their Spanish opponents. “Daniel had a great game. When he is fit he is an unbelievable player. He was outstanding for us but even he needs the other players alongside him to play well too,” said the German manager. “That is what happened tonight, the performance exceeded all my expectations. I have no words to describe it, particularly the power we showed in the first half. It was nice to watch, great to be a part of a night like that.”

(Video credit: The Guardian)The former Dortmund manager also stressed he put more emphasis on “emotional football” for this match, which saw them effectively qualify for the Europa League final. “At half time I told the players to keep going with the emotional football but maybe use their brains a bit more. I wanted my players to be both emotional and smart, if that makes any sense, and they were.”

Klopp commented it was somewhat strange for him to hear the Reds support chant his name, but added that he wouldn’t mind hearing hyms about himself when he’s a bit older. “Maybe when I am 50 I will get to like that,” said the 48-year-old. “Until then the fans do not have to sing my name. I am just part of the team, we are all parts of the same team. It was a brilliant display from my boys.”

Villarreal manager Marcelino Garcia Toral praised the way Liverpool have played on their home soil. “They pressed us so much it was hard for us to impose ourselves,” he said. “The biggest difference between the two teams was Liverpool’s intensity. They played with such a high tempo, and on the edge of the rules at times, but it was allowed. But they were better than us, I admit. Liverpool are a great side and we have been unlucky enough to catch them in their best moment of the season. There’s not a lot more you can say.”

Sevilla won the previous two Europa League finals, in 2014 and 2015 (Image credit: ESPN)

According to online sportsbook Bet365, Liverpool are the favorites to win the Europa League final 2.50 (6/4) on May 28 in Basel, thanks to their slightly better form in recent games. It appears that Jurgen Klopp’s influence on the team is coming to life, as a number of players have started to perform brilliantly in the last few matches.

(Check out Betting Herald’s Bet365 Sports Review for more details about the online sportsbook.)

The Spanish side are underdogs 3.00 (2/1) for the encounter, but don’t discard them just because of their lower chances. Sevilla have won the Europa League final in the two previous editions (2014 and 2015), so they’ll be looking to clinch their third successive title. They have let go of some high-profile players, but have nonetheless managed to stay competitive against any opposition they have faced.

With both sides determined to showcase their best form in the Europa League final, we might be looking at a potential tie 3.10 (21/10). If you think that betting on any one of the following events is too risky, we suggest you place a wager on the following market: Result/Both Teams to Score. “Yes” for Liverpool is 5.00 (4/1) and a “Yes” for Sevilla is 6.00 (5/1), while a “No” is 4.33 (10/3) and 5.00 (4/1) respectively. Additionally, a “Yes” for a draw is 4.33 (10/3) and a “No” for the same event is 9.00 (8/1).