Europa League final preview: Liverpool v Sevilla
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Article summary
There are stark contrasts between traditional powers Liverpool and a Sevilla side that have come to the table late and gorged. But the sense is that there will be little between them in Basel.
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Article body
- Sevilla aiming to become first team to lift the trophy three years running
- Liverpool seeking fourth title win to match Sevilla's competition record
- Unai Emery bidding to equal Giovanni Trapattoni's record of three titles as coach
- Jürgen Klopp seeking to end first season at Anfield with a European trophy
- The winner earns a place in the UEFA Champions League group stage
Possible lineups
Liverpool: Mignolet; Clyne, Lovren, Touré, Moreno; Lallana, Can, Milner; Firmino, Sturridge, Coutinho.
Out: Rossiter (hamstring), Gomez (knee), Sakho (suspended)
Doubtful: Origi (ankle/foot)
Sevilla: David Soria; Mariano, Rami, Carriço, Escudero; Krychowiak, N'Zonzi; Coke, Banega, Vitolo; Gameiro.
Out: Krohn-Dehli (knee), Trémoulinas (knee)
Jürgen Klopp, Liverpool manager
I came here because I was really convinced of the quality of these players. At the start I was the only person, but now a few more people know. To see how they deserve this final makes me feel really good. I am happy that they could show how strong they are. This is a big chance to take a big step.
The longer you don't win anything, the harder you try. We already know about the desire of our supporters. We know how much they want to win this cup. They showed us in an impressive way, home and away, travelling around Europe. We would really love to be the team that makes these dreams come true. I can promise that we will try everything. The problem is, Sevilla will do the same!
We have to be organised, prepared, take control of moments – be patient to pass for long enough to create that chance. In a final you need to be ready to make mistakes when the whole world is watching. Football doesn't work without mistakes. It's about finding the next solution.
Unai Emery, Sevilla coach
Every time football gives you a chance you have to take it. What we have achieved in recent years is wonderful but you can't stop there; you have to relive it, you have to experience it again. The Sevilla fans know this: they look upon the club as their second wife or second girlfriend.
Liverpool are among the best ten teams in the world. They have a great history – they have won the European Cup five times, the UEFA Cup, English league titles. The team have changed under the new coach, they are a happy team. They're like Athletic Bilbao the way they press and give 100%.
All my players have special characteristics and we need the best of them against Liverpool; we need everything they have. We want to grow. We can change history and have our names recorded in the history of the competition. We must find a balance, though, to keep our emotions in check so we can be fully focused. We'll need it.
Weekend results
West Brom 1-1 Liverpool (Rondón 13; Ibe 23)
Klopp made 11 changes to the team that recorded a 1-1 draw with Chelsea last week for Liverpool's last game of the domestic season, with Jordan Henderson and Danny Ings returning from injury. Having fallen behind, the visitors levelled when Jordon Ibe hit a fine individual effort, his first league goal of the campaign. Liverpool end the season in eighth – their joint lowest finish since promotion in 1962.
Athletic 3-1 Sevilla (Aduriz 11 31, Raúl García 71; Juan Muñoz 55)
Sevilla were destined to finish seventh whatever happened and, of the starting XI, only Adil Rami, Vicente Iborra, Timothée Kolodziejczak and Yevhen Konoplyanka are likely to feature at some stage against Liverpool. It proved a miserable afternoon for Kolodziejczak, who saw red in a defeat that means Sevilla finish the Liga campaign without a single away victory. Juan Muñoz, 20, scored his first Liga goal.
Form guide (all competitions, most recent first)
Liverpool: DDWWLLDWWW
Sevilla: LLWLDWLDLL
Reporter's view: John Atkin (@UEFAcomJohnA)
How to predict the unpredictable? Which Liverpool will we get? The irresistible side that knocked out Manchester United, Villarreal and of course Dortmund to get here; or the team that finished eighth in the Premier League? And then there's Sevilla. They are as good as anyone at home but they failed to win on their travels all season in the Liga. Somehow you sense they will both be on their game on Wednesday so it could be a battle of wits: Emery v Klopp, Classical v Rock 'n Roll.
Did you know?
• Liverpool's last UEFA Cup win, in 2001, came against a Spanish side in Dortmund. It was a nine-goal thriller decided in extra time – an omen? For more facts and stats check out our extensive match background.