Danny Sturridge scores one and sets up two as Klopp’s team beat Villarreal 3-0 to storm into Europa League final
Danny Sturridge scores one and sets up two as Klopp's team beat Villarreal 3-0 to storm into Europa League final
Liverpool: Daniel Sturridge was involved in all three goals as Liverpool impressively beat Villarreal 3-0 at Anfield on Thursday to set up a Europa League final date with holders Sevilla.
Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge celebrates a goal against Villarreal on Thursday. Pics/AFP
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Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, Liverpool levelled the tie when Bruno Soriano put through his own goal under pressure from Sturridge, who scored the second goal in the 63rd minute before helping to tee up Adam Lallana for a late strike that completed a 3-1 aggregate win.
Jurgen Klopp celebrates Reds’ win
It took Liverpool into their first continental final since the 2006-07 Champions League, preserving Jurgen Klopp’s hopes of finishing his first season as manager with both a trophy and a place in Europe’s elite competition next season.
“Wonderful night, brilliant game from my side. What a performance,” Klopp told BT Sport. “Everyone spoke a lot about this team before I came here. It was all about quality and not good transfers. I came here because I thought they had a nice squad, but now we are in the final. Basel. A longer season!"
Villarreal, for whom centre-back Victor Ruiz was sent off, had been bidding to reach their first ever major final. But they could console themselves with the knowledge that following Sunday’s 2-0 win at Valencia in La Liga, their place in next season’s Champions League play-offs is already secure.
"The early goal was a hammer blow," said beaten coach Marcelino. "We tried hard after that, but it was tough against an opponent who played with a huge amount of intensity.”
Sevilla, seeking to win the competition for the third season running, won 3-1 at home to Shakhtar Donetsk for a 5-3 aggregate success.
But for all their recent pedigree in the competition, Liverpool will approach the final with significant momentum, having previously seen off both Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund in the competition.
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