Liverpool Breeze into Europa League Final

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, Sports News Friday, May 6th, 2016

Jurgen Klopp remains on course for silverware in his first season in charge after Liverpool beat Villarreal to reach the Europa League final.

Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, Liverpool levelled the tie on aggregate after Bruno Soriano’s early own goal.

Daniel Sturridge, left out of the team in Spain, then put the hosts in command with a low finish after good work from the excellent Roberto Firmino.

After Villarreal’s Victor Ruiz was sent off, Adam Lallana made the win safe.

Ruiz received a second booking after stepping on Lallana’s foot in a game where Liverpool’s energetic pressing ruffled their opponents.

Klopp, who took over from Brendan Rodgers in October and celebrated wildly with supporters after the final whistle, has now taken the Reds to a second final of the season, following defeat by Manchester City in the League Cup final.

They will face Europa League holders Sevilla in Basel on 18 May, after they beat Shakhtar Donetsk 3-1 to win their semi-final 5-3 on aggregate.

Despite sitting nine points and 19 goals behind fourth-placed Manchester City in the Premier League, Liverpool would qualify for next season’s Champions League should they win in Switzerland, representing a fine return for Klopp in such a short spell in charge.

BBC