Liverpool’s performances in this season’s Europa League have illuminated a path for the team’s future, manager Jurgen Klopp said after his side sank Villarreal to reach the final.
Liverpool will face holders Sevilla in Basel in May 18 after a Bruno Soriano own goal and efforts from Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana at Anfield on Thursday secured a resounding 3-0 win and a 3-1 aggregate success.
Liverpool had made an inauspicious start to their Europa League campaign when Klopp succeeded Brendan Rodgers last October, but having now eliminated Augsburg, Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund and Villarreal, they will play in their first European final since 2007.
“To go to a final you need a little a bit of luck in decisive moments, but most of the time you need outstanding performances,” Klopp said.
“When I came here, the tournament didn’t sound too nice for people. Three draws (actually two). It was a difficult group.
“We came through with a nice game in Russia (beating Rubin Kazan 1-0). That was good.
“We felt really comfortable in this tournament. We liked going to different countries and adapting to different circumstances, different temperatures. I like this in football.
“The problem we had was around these games (there were) so many other games, so we couldn’t really be focused on this.
“In 2016 the team showed a lot of times what they’re capable of and what they could be capable of in the future.
“That’s a really good sign. That’s more important for me as a manager, but then, when you perform in the right moments, like we did tonight or against Dortmund or against United or Augsburg, you want to have (it) all.
“That’s what we try now (in the final). Now we are there and it’s a great opportunity and we will take it.”
Villarreal had procured a stoppage-time lead in last week’s first leg through substitute Adrian Lopez’s strike, but their advantage lasted less than seven minutes of the return fixture at a raucous Anfield as Bruno turned Roberto Firmino’s cross into his own net.
Sturridge, sliding in, had put the Villarreal captain under pressure and he would go on to put Liverpool ahead in the 63rd minute, finishing coolly from Firmino’s scuffed volley, before setting up Lallana’s third.
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