Liverpool v Sevilla: Klopp to restore Reds' European tradition

Kevin Hatchard
17 May 2016

Jurgen Klopp has led Liverpool to two major finals in his first season

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It's been another profitable season for our Europa League man Kevin Hatchard, and he believes Liverpool can crush Sevilla's dreams of an unprecedented hat-trick in Basel...

"Sevilla didn't win a single La Liga game away from the Sanchez Pizjuan this season, and they managed just one victory in seven European away matches. Jurgen Klopp has consistently got the most out of Liverpool in big games, and I think he can do it one last time."

Back Liverpool to win the Europa League at 1.84/5

Liverpool v Sevilla
Wednesday May 18, 19:45
Live on BT Sport Europe and Youtube.com

Liverpool

Liverpool's days of domestic dominion have become a distant memory, as they haven't been crowned champions of England since 1990. However, in those 26 years without a league crown, the club's exploits in Europe have maintained the glittering reputation built up by men like Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley and Kenny Dalglish.

Under Gerard Houllier, Liverpool took part in one of the most extraordinary European finals of all time, as they beat Alaves 5-4 to lift the 2001 UEFA Cup. They had the led the Spanish club 2-0, 3-1 and 4-3, but were still forced into extra-time. The evergreen Gary McAllister, 36 years old at the time, sent in a vicious free-kick that forced an own goal, and the trophy was Anfield-bound.

There was yet more stupefying drama four years later in Istanbul, as Liverpool overturned a 3-0 half-time deficit against AC Milan, and then won a legendary match on penalties. Although Liverpool lost the 2007 final to the same opponents, their road to Athens had included pulsating wins over Barcelona and Chelsea.

This season, manager Jurgen Klopp has written a new chapter in Liverpool's European story. In the last 16, old foes Manchester United were eviscerated at Anfield and then humbled at Old Trafford. The quarter-finals included a comeback to rival the resurrection in Istanbul, as a 3-1 deficit was overturned against Klopp's old club Borussia Dortmund. Dejan Lovren's last-gasp winner against BVB indelibly etched the Croatian's name in Liverpool history.

Having disposed of Villarreal efficiently and impressively in the semi-finals, Liverpool now face their first European final for nine years. What bodes well is Klopp's ability to prepare his men for big occasions. They have risen to the challenge in the Europa League, they pushed Manchester City all the way before losing the League Cup final on penalties, and their record against the Premier League's top clubs is strong. Liverpool were one of only two clubs to beat newly-crowned champions Leicester City, and in their eight games against the eventual top four, they only lost twice.

Klopp has already led Liverpool to one final this season, and he has recent experience of a European showpiece occasion. At Wembley in 2013, his Borussia Dortmund side conceded a late winner to Bayern Munich in the Champions League final. A motivational and emotional coach like Klopp can use those experiences to his advantage as he looks to mentally prepare his players.

With Belgian speedster Divock Origi now back to full fitness, Klopp has a wealth of attacking options at his disposal. Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho has just been named as the club's Player of the Year for the second season running, his compatriot Roberto Firmino was outstanding in the semi-final second leg, and Daniel Sturridge also shone as Villarreal were dismissed 3-0 at Anfield. With Adam Lallana a huge favourite of Klopp's, the coach has some big decisions to make.

Skipper Jordan Henderson could make the final after a speedy recovery from a knee injury, and in his absence James Milner has led the team superbly. A three-man midfield of Henderson, Milner and Emre Can would provide Liverpool with a powerful, energetic platform.

Considering Liverpool have been mixing and matching in the Premier League, their form isn't too bad, with two wins and two draws from the last four matches in all competitions. In the Europa League, a somewhat unwarranted 1-0 defeat at Villarreal remains the Reds only loss in the tournament this term.

Sevilla

Even though Sevilla didn't begin this season in the Europa League, they have once again found their way to the final. Like a craftsman who constantly has his best tools taken away, coach Unai Emery has lost a host of star players in recent seasons, and yet still produces works of art. Carlos Bacca, Ivan Rakitic, Aleix Vidal and Alberto Moreno have all moved on, but with the help of his incredibly shrewd Sporting Director Monchi (arguably the best in the business), he has been able to rebuild again and again.

It's a regenerative ability that Doctor Who would be proud of, and it has helped Sevilla win the Europa League in both 2014 and 2015. There is the potential for Sevilla to do a cup double, as they soon face Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final.

Like Liverpool, Sevilla need to win this game to book themselves a place in the Champions League next season. A focus on cup success has seen La Liga form suffer - Los Rojiblancos lost seven of their last nine league matches and finished seventh.

Having dropped out of the Champions League, Sevilla swept beyond Molde and Basel in the Europa League knockout rounds. They needed penalties to edge out Athletic Bilbao in a thrilling quarter-final, and they found an extra gear to beat Shakhtar Donetsk in a semi-final that was tight until the last half-hour.

With Bacca now plying his trade in Italy, Frenchman Kevin Gameiro is the team's main attacking force, with 27 goals in all competitions. Grzegorz Krychowiak and ex-Stoke midfielder Steven N'Zonzi provide the steel in midfield, while Ever Banega will look to pull the strings. Sevilla's weakness is surely in defence, especially if Liverpool's forwards press as aggressively as Klopp usually asks them to. Emery's men leaked six goals across the semi-final and quarter-final, and away from the Sanchez Pizjuan they have kept one clean sheet in their last 14 games.

Match Odds

Liverpool are the slight favourites here at 2.486/4, and I'd agree with that. I don't think this is quite as good a Sevilla side as we saw in 2014 and 2015, and in La Liga they didn't manage a single victory outside their own stadium. They lost all three of their Champions League away games, and only won one of their four road matches in this competition.

If Liverpool's midfield trio can keep Banega quiet, and they can press hard against a shaky defence, I think Klopp's men will create plenty of chances. I don't doubt that Gameiro will get chances himself against a Liverpool team that is far from watertight, but I'm confident Liverpool can outscore Sevilla.

You could back Liverpool outright, but given how tense and tight finals like this can often be (four of the last nine finals in this competition have been level after 90 minutes), I'd prefer to back Liverpool to win the Europa League at 1.84/5. For what it's worth, Opta tell us Liverpool have won eight of their 12 major European finals.

Over/Under 2.5 Goals

If Liverpool sit back and let Sevilla dictate things, they'll be picked apart, so I fully expect Klopp to adopt his usual high-energy pressing game in a bid to disrupt his opponents. The aim will be to pressurize a defence that has shown it can make mistakes in possession. I expect plenty of chances to be created, and both teams are far better when they play on the front foot.

Liverpool have a plethora of attacking options, while Sevilla have Gameiro, Vitolo, and plenty of other capable forwards in reserve. Over 2.5 Goals looks a bit overpriced to me at 2.166/5.

Recommended Bets

Back Liverpool to win the Europa League at 1.84/5
Back Over 2.5 Goals at 2.166/5