London, May 6: Liverpool romped into the Europa League final with a 3-0 win over Villarreal on another magical night at Anfield to tee up a showpiece clash with holders Sevilla who swatted away visitors Shakhtar Donetsk 3-1, Thursday.
Five times European champions Liverpool reached a 12th continental final thanks to an own goal from Bruno Soriano and further strikes from Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana to overturn a first-leg deficit and go through 3-1 on aggregate.
Villarreal were largely anonymous throughout and seemed to wilt in the face of a raucous atmosphere and early onslaught by the hosts, while their demise was hastened by a sending off for Victor Ruiz for a second booking after 71 minutes.
It was a superb evening for Sturridge, whose place in the starting line-up had been in doubt after he was left out of key recent fixtures, but he was instrumental in a one-sided victory that prevented Spanish dominance of Europe’s two major finals.
With Real Madrid and city rivals Atletico set to contest the Champions League showpiece, Sevilla ensured there would also be a Spanish team in the continent’s second-tier competition, while staying on course for a record third straight title.
They had Kevin Gameiro to thank for a comfortable 5-3 aggregate win over Ukrainian outfit Shakhtar with the France striker scoring twice and Mariano Ferreira grabbing a third to book Sevilla’s spot in the final May 18 at Basel.
Villarreal might have fancied their chances of reaching their first major European final, having snatched an advantage in the first leg that ensured an away goal would leave Liverpool needing to score three times. More so they came with a reputation at not having conceded in 380 minutes of the competition.
Liverpool, backed by a ferocious home crowd, broke the deadlock with an own goal from Soriano, who turned in Roberto Firmino’s cross from the left with Sturridge lurking.
It was largely one-way traffic as Liverpool laid siege to the Villarreal goal throughout the first half. It took however, until the 63rd minute, for the hosts to add to their lead as Sturridge justified his selection with a sharp finish when he turned in Firmino’s effort from close range.
“Wonderful night, brilliant game from my side,” said manager Jurgen Klopp, who has now guided Liverpool to two finals in his short time at the club, after they lost to Manchester City in this season’s League Cup final at Wembley. Reuters
