Liverpool 1-3 Sevilla
By Nick Powell
Liverpool threw away a first half lead as they missed out on a first trophy since 2012 as Sevilla fought back to win a third Europa League title in as many seasons.
But just seventeen seconds into the second half the dangerous French striker Kevin Gameiro struck to erase Liverpool's lead and momentum.
Liverpool continued to come under the cosh and suddenly found themselves two goals down as captain Coke fired in twice in 6 minutes to give them a mountain to climb.
And the reds didn't come close to equalizing. Sevilla used dirty tactics to help them coast home, but Liverpool didn't look like scoring under any circumstances.
Liverpool were favourites before the game and had brought a hugely impressive contingent of fans, dominating both the stadium and fanzone in Basel.
It was a huge game for them, a win meant Champions League football and a first European trophy since their magical Istanbul win in 2005. Defeat meant no European football at all next season which would have financial implications and may have damaged their chances of signing some replacements for next season.
Liverpool narrowly had the better of a very timid first quarter, Emre Can smashed a powerful shot in which worked the keeper and Daniel Sturridge had a header cleared off the line but it was hardly domination. Defensively they looked very solid however, Toure the pick of the defenders as he looked for the tackle and defended intelligently.
They had a penalty shout turned down but it would have been harsh given the lack of opportunity that Sevilla defender Daniel Carrico would have had to move his arm, which was down by his side. Eventually the Spanish side had their first chance as the dangerous Kevin Gameiro sent an ambitious overhead wide.
Still, the game looked as if it would be devoid of goals in the first half. That was before a sensational goal from Daniel Sturridge. Liverpool surged forward and Phillipe Couthino's delicate lay off gave Sturridge room to cut in with a few touches before a phenomenal finish. He struck the ball with the outside of the boot and it curled in to give Liverpool the lead.
Liverpool kept up the high tempo and Lovren had a headed goal ruled out due to the interference of Sturridge and another hand ball penalty was waved away. With another brilliant chance as the ball was whipped across goal by Clyne, Sevilla needed half time when it came. Liverpool led at the break but should have been further ahead.
They were immediately made to pay, just 17 seconds into the second half the ball was in their own net. Right-back Mariano Ferrerira was allowed to waltz into their box after nutmegging the careless Alberto Monero and he simply passed it to Gameiro to level the final.
Liverpool were rattled, and would have been down had in not been for Toure who superbly got back to tackle Gamiero who was through on goal for 30 yards. It was another desperately important intervention from Toure who was playing superbly. Liverpool were all over the place and it was Mignolet who was then the hero.
Gameiro should have had a hat-trick as he wasted another chance. From a cross the Frenchman found himself in acres of space only a few metres out and Liverpool's keeper pulled off a sensational save to prevent the lead. But it felt like it was delaying the inevitable and Sevilla suddenly led. Vitolo swerved through the Liverpool defence before a couple of passes and it arrived at the feet of Coke who found the net in a similar place to Sturridge in the first half, but now it was a completely different game.
There was no response for Liverpool however, they continued to come under the cosh and the next goal, although controversial, Coke was in acres of space in the box but the linesman felt he was offside, he finished just under Mignolet, and the referee disagreed with his linesman, giving them the goal. Liverpool had a lot to do, after seemingly coasting when half time had approached.
An Istanbul style comeback was required but a combination of clever delay tactics and a lack of attacking direction meant they were unable to apply pressure on Sevilla. And the Spanish side closed out the last few minutes with ease as Liverpool failed to create any pressure.
Player Analysis
Liverpool will be devastated and had such a promising first half. Sturridge scored a stunning goal and had he not been in the way of Lovren's header it could have been more. Nathaniel Clyne played well, whipping in some dangerous crosses but their best player was Kolo Toure, had there been four of him at the back it would have been a clean sheet. Unfortunately, there weren't. Alberto Moreno was truly shocking. It was his side that the gaping spaces were there to help the first and third goal and he didn't look like a man that should be part of Liverpool going forward. The midfield was decent in the first half but poor in the second. They were completely outplayed, enabling Sevilla to run at their defenders, Lallana epitomising this.
Sevilla offered little in the first half but defended well enough to keep in touch, Rami was especially solid and committed at the back for the five-time Champions. Going forward Gameiro provided the only glimmer in the first half and was alive in the second half but perhaps should have taken a few more chances. Their finest player and man of the match has to be Coke, whose brilliant shot and cool finish won Sevilla the game. He lifted his side in the second half with assistance from Escudero and ultimately guided them to a fantastic win
Liverpool: Mignolet 7, Clyne 7, Lovren 6, Touré 9 (Benteke 83'), Moreno 2, Milner 6, Can 5, Lallana 5 (Allen 73' 6), Firmino 5 (Origi 69' 5), Coutinho 6, Sturridge 7
Sevilla: Soria Solís 7, Ferreira Filho 7, Rami 7(Kolodziejczakat 78'), Carrico Martins 6, Escudero 8, N'Zonzi 7, Krychowiak 7, Coke 9, Banega 7, Machín Pérez 7, Gameiro 8 (Iborra 89')
Man of the Match: Coke
Photos: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/36057186
Liverpool threw away a first half lead as they missed out on a first trophy since 2012 as Sevilla fought back to win a third Europa League title in as many seasons.
But just seventeen seconds into the second half the dangerous French striker Kevin Gameiro struck to erase Liverpool's lead and momentum.
Liverpool continued to come under the cosh and suddenly found themselves two goals down as captain Coke fired in twice in 6 minutes to give them a mountain to climb.
And the reds didn't come close to equalizing. Sevilla used dirty tactics to help them coast home, but Liverpool didn't look like scoring under any circumstances.
Liverpool were favourites before the game and had brought a hugely impressive contingent of fans, dominating both the stadium and fanzone in Basel.
It was a huge game for them, a win meant Champions League football and a first European trophy since their magical Istanbul win in 2005. Defeat meant no European football at all next season which would have financial implications and may have damaged their chances of signing some replacements for next season.
Liverpool narrowly had the better of a very timid first quarter, Emre Can smashed a powerful shot in which worked the keeper and Daniel Sturridge had a header cleared off the line but it was hardly domination. Defensively they looked very solid however, Toure the pick of the defenders as he looked for the tackle and defended intelligently.
They had a penalty shout turned down but it would have been harsh given the lack of opportunity that Sevilla defender Daniel Carrico would have had to move his arm, which was down by his side. Eventually the Spanish side had their first chance as the dangerous Kevin Gameiro sent an ambitious overhead wide.
Still, the game looked as if it would be devoid of goals in the first half. That was before a sensational goal from Daniel Sturridge. Liverpool surged forward and Phillipe Couthino's delicate lay off gave Sturridge room to cut in with a few touches before a phenomenal finish. He struck the ball with the outside of the boot and it curled in to give Liverpool the lead.
Sturridge's moment of inspiration brought Liverpool to life before half-time
They were immediately made to pay, just 17 seconds into the second half the ball was in their own net. Right-back Mariano Ferrerira was allowed to waltz into their box after nutmegging the careless Alberto Monero and he simply passed it to Gameiro to level the final.
Liverpool's work in the first half was wiped clean in a quarter of a minute
Liverpool were rattled, and would have been down had in not been for Toure who superbly got back to tackle Gamiero who was through on goal for 30 yards. It was another desperately important intervention from Toure who was playing superbly. Liverpool were all over the place and it was Mignolet who was then the hero.
Coke's goal left Liverpool stunned
An Istanbul style comeback was required but a combination of clever delay tactics and a lack of attacking direction meant they were unable to apply pressure on Sevilla. And the Spanish side closed out the last few minutes with ease as Liverpool failed to create any pressure.
Player Analysis
Liverpool will be devastated and had such a promising first half. Sturridge scored a stunning goal and had he not been in the way of Lovren's header it could have been more. Nathaniel Clyne played well, whipping in some dangerous crosses but their best player was Kolo Toure, had there been four of him at the back it would have been a clean sheet. Unfortunately, there weren't. Alberto Moreno was truly shocking. It was his side that the gaping spaces were there to help the first and third goal and he didn't look like a man that should be part of Liverpool going forward. The midfield was decent in the first half but poor in the second. They were completely outplayed, enabling Sevilla to run at their defenders, Lallana epitomising this.
Sevilla offered little in the first half but defended well enough to keep in touch, Rami was especially solid and committed at the back for the five-time Champions. Going forward Gameiro provided the only glimmer in the first half and was alive in the second half but perhaps should have taken a few more chances. Their finest player and man of the match has to be Coke, whose brilliant shot and cool finish won Sevilla the game. He lifted his side in the second half with assistance from Escudero and ultimately guided them to a fantastic win
Liverpool: Mignolet 7, Clyne 7, Lovren 6, Touré 9 (Benteke 83'), Moreno 2, Milner 6, Can 5, Lallana 5 (Allen 73' 6), Firmino 5 (Origi 69' 5), Coutinho 6, Sturridge 7
Sevilla: Soria Solís 7, Ferreira Filho 7, Rami 7(Kolodziejczakat 78'), Carrico Martins 6, Escudero 8, N'Zonzi 7, Krychowiak 7, Coke 9, Banega 7, Machín Pérez 7, Gameiro 8 (Iborra 89')
Man of the Match: Coke
Photos: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/36057186
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