It's do or die for Liverpool as Jurgen Klopp’s men step out onto the pitch to seal the Europa League trophy and etch their names into history forever. Win and the Reds shall be rewarded with not just a trophy but a place in history but also the chance to play in the UEFA Champions League next season. Lose and none of that happens as Liverpool finished 8th in the Premier League which doesn’t even give them a Europa League spot.
Standing up against them at St. Jakob-Park in Basel are Unai Emery’s Sevilla, who themselves are looking for a special place in history as they look to complete a hat-trick of Europa League trophies. The Andalucian outfit travel to Basel with high hopes and a charged up squad as they face off with Jurgen Klopp’s men.
Liverpool have been handed fitness boosts before the game as Divock Origi has returned to the squad after an ankle injury. The Belgian could start the game on the bench depending on the last couple of training sessions.
Also read: Alberto Moreno reveals it will be strange playing against Sevilla in the Europa League final
Jordan Henderson though will be set to figure on the bench as Liverpool go for the jugular. Kolo Toure will take to the field for possibly the last time in a Red Shirt to partner Dejan Lovren in the absence of Frenchman Mamadou Sakho.
Sevilla will miss Jose Antonio Reyes and Michael Krohn-Dehli for the game as Yevhen Konoplyanka will be set to start after recovering from an injury suffered in training. The key battles will be fought up front for their respective sides as Daniel Sturridge takes on a mantle he has fought hard to secure in wake of recent competition for the starting spot.
Shaking off the likes of Adil Rami and Dani Carrico will be a tough proposition while the same awaits goal machine Kevin Gameiro at the other end with Kolo Toure and Dejan Lovren vowing to be rocks for the Reds.
Also read: Europa League: Unai Emery looking to make history with Sevilla
The smart money will be on Sevilla making it 5 Europa League trophies in 10 years with a win at Basel considering their reputation as big-game players. However, you do not ever count out Jurgen Klopp’s reds.
Key Stats:
- Liverpool have lost only one of their last 14 Europa League games.
- Sevilla have scored at least 2 goals in 13 of their last 16 Europa League games.
- Sevilla are on their way to secure a 5th Europa League title in the last decade, having won in 2006, 2007, 2014 and 2015 previously.
- Sevilla will be only the second team to win a European trophy in three consecutive seasons after Bayern Munich should they win the final.
Liverpool vs Sevilla, Europa League 2015/16: Live streaming Details
Channel: Ten 2
Date: 19 May 2016
Time: 12:15 A.M, IST
Venue: St. Jakob-Park
Live Stream: Tensports.com
Betting Odds: Sevilla: 23/10; Draw: 23/10; Liverpool: 11/8; via Bet365
