LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Liverpool stands
in the way of a third straight Europa League title for Sevilla after the clubs
with a rich pedigree in Europe's second-tier competition reached the final on
Thursday.
Sevilla beat Shakhtar Donetsk 3-1 at home to advance 5-3 on
aggregate and maintain its impressive recent history in the competition. The
Spanish club is looking to win the UEFA Cup/Europa League for a
record-extending fifth time in the past 11 years.
Liverpool, a three-time winner, overturned a first-leg deficit
against Villarreal by winning 3-0 at Anfield to go through 3-1 on aggregate.
Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana scored second-half goals to add to a
seventh-minute own goal by Bruno Soriano.
Liverpool has beaten Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund, and
now Spain's fourth-best club in the knockout stages on a grueling path to the
final, which is in Basel, Switzerland, on May 18. "Wonderful night,
brilliant game from my side. What a performance," said Liverpool manager
Juergen Klopp, who cupped his ear toward the team's jubilant fans and punched
the air wildly as he stood in the center circle after the final whistle.
The charismatic Klopp has guided Liverpool into its first
European final in nine years, keeping alive the club's chances of playing in
the Champions League next season. The winner of the Europa League qualifies for
Europe's elite competition.
Sevilla is seventh in the Spanish league but continues to show a
different side in the Europa League. Kevin Gameiro took his competition tally
this season to seven goals by scoring early in each half at Ramon Sanchez
Pizjuan Stadium, either side of Eduardo's goal for Shakhtar.
Right back Mariano Ferreira smashed in a brilliant third for
Sevilla from outside the area, his first goal for the club. Spanish teams have
dominated European competition this season — Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid
will face off in the Champions League final this month — but there will be no
all-Spanish final in the Europa League after Liverpool's comeback against
Villarreal.
Anfield was hosting its first match since a jury at an inquest
absolved the club's fans of blame in the 1989 Hillsborough Stadium disaster, in
which 96 Liverpool supporters were killed in a crush. It was an emotional
evening, with a choir singing "You'll Never Walk Alone" before
kickoff while a mosaic bearing "96 The Greatest Family" was held up.
Anfield was in full voice, and both the occasion and Liverpool's
ferocious work rate appeared too much for Villarreal, which looked rattled
early and lost its aggregate lead when Roberto Firmino sent the ball across the
face of the six-yard box, Sturridge swiped at thin air, and the unfortunate Soriano
deflected it into his own net.
Sturridge put Liverpool 2-0 ahead in the 63rd when a mis-hit
shot by Firmino landed in the striker's path inside the area. Sturridge's shot
went between goalkeeper Alphonse Areola's legs, struck the post, and crept
across and over the line.
Villarreal defender Victor Ruiz was sent off for collecting a
second yellow card for a foul on Lallana, who ensured there would be no late
tension by scoring from close range in the 81st, turning in Sturridge's weak
effort.
Villarreal coach Marcelino said his team "came up against a
top side on top form" on another special European night at Anfield.
However, he said he felt Liverpool's intensity and pressing was "maybe on
the margins of the rules."
Klopp was delighted to return Liverpool, a five-time European
champion, back to a continental final. "There are lots of teams who want
to go to finals. It's not too easy," Klopp said. "So now we are there
and it's a great opportunity and we will take it."
0 Comments