The Europa League may not have the glory of Champions League but it’s currently the most important competition for both Liverpool and Sevilla as it will open up the door for Champion League to the winner. Both the finalists have shown total dedication to the competition and this is the main reason we are having a final between the two teams.
Talking about Liverpool if we take a look back what Liverpool exactly used to be under Rafa Benitez we may barely even want to compare the current team with that one, as the current side is barely familiar with European competitions. But one man has changed everything within months – Jurgen Klopp. After Brendan Rodgers, Klopp was appointed by the Reds and now everything is different at the Anfield. Klopp has brought in an infinite amount of motivation with him.
On the other hand, while the Reds boss is in search of his first trophy as a Liverpool manager, Sevilla are looking forward to bring their third consecutive Europa League trophy to their trophy cabinet.
Key Battles
Kevin Gameiro has been outstanding for the La Liga outfit Sevilla this season, especially in the Europa League. The Dortmund flop joined the Sevilla side to replace theirs in form striker of last season, Carlos Bacca, who moved to AC Milan at the beginning of this season. The French striker has netted seven goals during this Europa League season and will surely be a great threat to watch for in the final.
If someone from Liverpool has to stop Kevin Gameiro, it has to be the Croatian international Dejan Lovren, who has improved unbelievably under Jurgen Klopp, compared to his last season at the Anfield.
Team News
It looks like there won’t be any changes made in the Liverpool squad by Klopp as the Reds played exceptionally well in their semi-final second leg against Villareal, winning 3-0 over the Spanish side who are 4th in the La Liga table and won 1-0 over the Reds in the semi-final 1st leg.
We saw in the 1-1 draw at West Bromwich Albion that Jordan Henderson and Danny Ings are back to full fitness, thus, there is a slight possibility for Henderson to make it to the first team, but it will depend on upon his fitness level for sure. Origi is back is training, though he is a big doubt for the match.
Sevilla’s star player, the Ukrainian ace Yevhen Konoplyanka got injured in training last week. However, he passed the fitness test, which was taken recently and is all set to roll the ball in Basel. But the winger will probably come from the bench as a precaution.
Head-To-head
Liverpool and Sevilla have never faced each other before and there couldn’t be any other better platform to show who is the better team other than a UEFA Europa League Final. If compare attacking stats of this Europa season: The Reds have found the net 18 times and Sevilla have netted 14 times.
The Spanish left-back Alberto Moreno was brought into Liverpool by Brendan Rodgers from Sevilla and the full-back will face his previous club for the first time since his move to the Premier League outfits.
Prediction and betting odds:
As we all know that a final can never be a piece of cake for anyone. There will be excitement, drama and obviously it will be close. And when it is a European competition, with two veterans of Europe facing each other, it has to be a memorable one. Sevilla have a great attack but they way Liverpool got victorious over Dortmund and Villareal, it seems like nothing is impossible for Klopp’s side, who never do it the easy way but the miraculous way. It will most probably end as a 2-2 draw, with Liverpool winning on penalties.
According to SkyBet, the odds are Liverpool – 11/8, Draw – 23/10 and Sevilla – 2/1.