Klopp masterminds emphatic win as Reds seal final place

Jurgen Klopp can try and cede the spotlight, pointing to the power emanating from the stands rather than to himself, but the emergence of a new force continues to bear his image.

On a night that felt as raucous as any witnessed as this famous arena shook to its foundations, Liverpool’s passage into the Europa League Final owed everything to the tactical tweaks their manager carefully implemented.

Villarreal were overwhelmed from the start with an own goal from Bruno Soriano inside six minutes wiping out their first leg advantage.

By the end, they had been trampled underfoot with goals from Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana coming either side of a red card for Victor Ruiz.

In between, the visitors scarcely had chance to catch their breath let alone raise a glove in anger as Klopp’s masterplan worked a treat.

And so the Spanish armada sailing towards Europe’s biggest prizes will not be joined by the Yellow Submarine, Liverpool ensuring a flag for England will be flown in the showpiece in Basel on May 18.

Sevilla lie in wait, chasing a third successive win in the competition, but should hold few fears given how Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund and now La Liga’s fourth best team have been overcome.

In many respects, this was the most convincing of all those victories.

Liverpool were aggressive in defence, relentless in midfield and ruthless in attack and, unlike Manchester City in Madrid, were never going to go out wondering.

Reward arrived quicker than they could have dreamt of.

Emre Can, straight back into the starting line-up just three weeks after rupturing ankle ligaments against Dortmund and a colossus here, cleverly switched play with a piercing pass that ushered Nathaniel Clyne down the right.

A centre arrowed invitingly across the goalmouth brushed the fingertips of Villarreal goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, but reached the lurking Roberto Firmino rather than safety.

When it was played back into the six yard box, Sturridge failed to find the telling touch but was relieved when the ball instead hit Soriano and bobbled into the back of the net.

The Kop erupted. Lallana chased down lost causes, Dejan Lovren launched into tackles as if his life depended on it and it was easy to overlook amid the tumult how the visitors had bared their teeth first.

Just four minutes had elapsed when Roberto Soldado chested Cedric Bakambu’s cross down for Jonathan Dos Santos and his shot was expertly repelled low down by Simon Mignolet.

Dos Santos then scooped an effort wastefully over after Bakambu’s surging run, but for someone who is much maligned Mignolet’s save was crucial in allowing Liverpool to push on.

They did so mercilessly. What is remarkable about Klopp’s impact is that he has yet to make a signing that figures in the team, but has simply polished and coaxed performances in reaching his second final three months from those previously damned.

The identity of the scorers in the second-half proved the point.

In time this might be remembered as the night when one more doubter became a believer even if it is Klopp himself who joined the list of converts. The evening when he was finally seduced by Sturridge’s ability to make the difference whatever the other shortcomings he believes he possesses.

The selection of Sturridge made sense, but the inclusion of Coutinho, Firmino and Lallana as well was bold and daring. How it paid off.

When Lallana’s attempted cross was blocked in the 64th minute, the ricochet spun to Firmino on the edge of the penalty area and his pass was a delight.

It dissected Mateo Musacchio and Jaume Costa perfectly and left Sturridge with only Areola to beat. The outcome was never in doubt and Sturridge’s celebration was sight to behold as he shook his fists to the heavens.

Breathing space arrived soon after as Firmino tormented Musacchio and after Sturridge’s initial touch, Lallana turned the chance home inside the six yard box.

In between, the eye had been drawn to Klopp comically dispatching substitute Lucas to chide Alberto Moreno for a needless push on Denis Suarez that might have been punished with a penalty by a less lenient referee than Viktor Kassai.

Klopp had gone ballistic before the smile returned as he surveyed another step forward in the development of a team going places.

As he punched the air on the pitch after the final whistle, it was impossible not to feel just how in tune he is with his surroundings.

Liverpool are lucky to have him.

Source: Daily Express

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