Klopp reawakens a giant as Reds head to Europa League final

Liverpool's remarkable season will reach a thrilling crescendo in the Europa League final against Sevilla at Basel's St Jakob-Park on May 18.

There was no late drama this time. No thrilling European fightback to tell the grandkids about.

Instead the Reds booked their trip to the land of cheese and chocolate with glorious ease as Villarreal were ruthlessly brushed aside.

A first European trophy for 11 years and a golden ticket into next season's Champions League is now just 90 minutes away.

How fitting that a beaming Jurgen Klopp should take on the role on conductor as he accepted the acclaim from the stands.

The Kop chanted his name vociferously and rightly so. This was his triumph.

Here was the fruits of his labour over the past seven months. The spirit, the unity, the organisation, the belief and the tactical nous he has instilled within the squad he inherited.

Klopp has proved a master at harnessing the most powerful support in football and on nights like this it makes Liverpool an irresistible force.

How lucky the Reds were to secure the services of a man capable of making the hopes and dreams of Kopites come true. He has energised both the stands and the dressing room.

There was no pressure he told his players pre-match, simply an opportunity to achieve something special.

To a man they grasped that chance with a show of force which made a mockery of Villarreal's premature celebrations after the first leg.

Bruno Soriano's early own goal was followed by second-half strikes from Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana. The Reds' cause was aided by the dismissal of Victor Ruiz but by then they were already cruising.

When Klopp arrived back in October, Anfield was a place where the expectation weighed heavily on players' shoulders. Now it only strikes fear into opponents.

It was a night laced with emotion. From the bedlam on Anfield Road which greeted the arrival of the team coaches to the spine-tingling rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone as mosaics in memory of the 96 read: 'The Greatest Football Family'.

Marcelino had insisted his players would be galvanised rather than intimidated by the atmosphere. The Villarreal boss was wide of the mark.

During a frenetic opening period it was Liverpool who grasped the initiative, while those in yellow resembled rabbits caught in headlights.

Liverpool started at a tempo and an intensity the rattled La Liga outfit simply couldn't handle. They first to everything and they led inside seven minutes.

Alphonse Areola palmed Nathaniel Clyne's low cross into the path of Roberto Firmino, who expertly turned it back across goal. As Sturridge challenged, the ball bounced in off Soriano from close range.

Anfield erupted. Adrian Lopez's late strike in the first leg had been swiftly cancelled out.

Klopp was bold with his team selection – starting both Sturridge and Firmino and it paid off handsomely as each of them excelled.

Firmino was outstanding. Combining breathtaking skill with workrate, there were hades of Luis Suarez about him.

Not since the Uruguayan was lighting up Anfield have Kopites seen a performance combining such inspiration and perspiration.

Liverpool continued to boss proceedings. Philippe Coutinho was forced off with a sickness bug at El Madrigal, this time he just made Villarreal feel queasy as he weaved his magic.

Lallana, Firmino and James Milner buzzed around with intent behind Sturridge. They helped set the tone with their relentless pressing as Marcelino's men were never allowed to settle.

Lallana was just inches away from converting Milner's cross, while Dejan Lovren's header was kept out by Areola.

Lovren, the hero against Dortmund, was a rock once again and his perfectly timed tackle on dangerman Cedric Bakambu was greeted by the sight of Klopp punching the air in delight.

The only time Bakambu stole half a yard on the Croatian all night, Villarreal's 22-goal top scorer scuffed tamely at Simon Mignolet.

Outfought and outplayed, the Spaniards lost their discipline. The play-acting and the theatrics were unseemly as was the manner in which they harangued Hungarian referee Viktor Kassai.

Roberto Soldado, fortunate not to be carded for a whack on Lovren, finally followed Ruiz into the book after a petulant swipe at Coutinho.

Amidst the mayhem, there was ice cool Emre Can – a picture of composure on his return to the side.

The German midfielder, who hadn't kicked a ball in anger for three weeks, slotted straight back in. Can oozed class as he gave Liverpool a platform to dominate.

The second half brought more of the same with the Reds on the front foot and Villarreal camped inside their own half. It was defence against attack.

Coutinho's strike was beaten away by Areola before Milner fired tamely at the keeper.

The only scare came when Soldado nodded wide having conned a free-kick by backing into the impressive Kolo Toure and taking a tumble.

On the rare occasions Villarreal committed players forward, Liverpool dealt with the danger and then hit them at pace on the counter.

Lallana's through ball released Sturridge, who darted past Mateo Musacchio but was thwarted by Areola.

Something special was required and it arrived just past the hour mark.

Firmino pounced on the edge of the box and threaded a delightful pass through to Sturridge.

The Reds striker had time to pick his spot and found the net via a deflection off Areola and the post. The manic celebrations laid bare just what it meant to Sturridge after two injury-plagued campaigns.

Still an away goal would have dumped Liverpool out but there was never any hint of them relinquishing control. Klopp's men simply surged forward in search of greater reward.

The Reds were given a helping hand by the stupidity of Ruiz with 19 minutes to go as the defender got a second yellow for a challenge on Lallana. 'Adios,' chanted the gleeful Kop.

Hearts were in mouths when a nudge from Moreno sent Denis Suarez sprawling in the area but the killer blow soon followed.

Firmino did brilliantly down the left and his pull-back picked out Sturridge. He scuffed goalwards and Lallana turned it home.

Liverpool could and should have had more but it mattered little. This was emphatic.

Next stop Basel.

Source: Liverpool Echo

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