The Europa League final kicks off Wednesday at 8.45pm (CET) in Basel, Switzerland. Here’s what to watch for when Liverpool and Sevilla meet at the 38,512-capacity St Jakob-Park:
What’s at stake: Aside from winning a major European competition the winner secures automatic entry into the Champions League next season — a nugget which neither team would otherwise qualify for in their domestic leagues.
History: Sevilla is vying for its third consecutive Europa League title, which would be a first for any club. The La Liga team is already the first to reach three consecutive finals and is looking to add to its record of four Europa League cups.
Manager Unai Emery is also looking to achieve European glory in each of his three seasons in charge of the Andalusian club — another potential first.
Liverpool has won the competition three times in its old guise as the UEFA Cup, and would be vying for its first European trophy since the Reds’ historic come-from-behind victory against AC Milan in the 2005 Champions League final.
Shades of 2005 echo in this final for Liverpool, who finished fifth in the Premier League in its first year under Rafa Benitez.
This year’s crop are coached by Jurgen Klopp, who’s looking to secure a cup victory despite taking over mid-season at Anfield.
“The bigger the pressure, the cooler I get,” the German recently told UEFA.” I know it’s not about forcing it with all you have; it’s about the game.
“The game works with joy, with confidence, with working together and dreaming together ahead of the game, and doing everything to make the dream come true with the work you do on the pitch. Nothing is guaranteed but everything is possible.”
Form: Neither team have set the world on fire in their respective leagues. Sevilla finished seventh in La Liga, ensuring a return back to into the completion no matter what happens on Wednesday.
Liverpool, however, finished eighth in the Premier League, meaning a win ensures their only shot at playing in Europe next season.
In the last few weeks Liverpool’s form has been mixed, with two wins, two draws and two losses in their past six matches, though that did include a convincing 3-0 home win against Villarreal in the second leg of the Europa League semifinal.
Klopp is hoping to shake off a run of bad form in cup finals, losing four in a row between his stints at Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool. They include one Champions League final and the League Cup final loss to Manchester City earlier this season.
Sevilla’s form has been equally variable, with two wins, three losses and one draw in their last six games — though one of those victories was the 3-1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk at home in their Europa semifinal second leg.
“There are jobs where you enjoy suffering,” said a philosophical Emery, about his cup runs at Sevilla.
“Coaches and players know that this is a job in which you find enjoyment by struggling to overcome an opponent. It’s a battle, and obviously at times it’s not very pleasant … when it’s a very evenly-matched, fiercely-contested fight, that’s when it becomes about enjoyment through pain.
Who to watch: For Sevilla, all eyes will be on French striker Kevin Gameiro, who netted seven of the team’s 14 goals in the Europa League, while contributing one assist. Captain Jose Antonio Reyes (appendix) and Michael Krohn-Dehli (knee) are out.
Liverpool’s Brazilian talisman Philippe Coutinho contributed two goals in the Europa League, as did Englishman Daniel Sturridge, while Adam Lallana led their European campaign with three goals.
Captain Jordan Henderson is one match back from a knee injury, while Divock Origi might feature after recovering from an ankle injury. Mamadou Sakho is suspended.
Champions League implications: If Liverpool win on Wednesday they will join Premier League champions Leicester City, as well as Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester City in Europe’s top compeition.
If Sevilla triumph they will join champions Barcelona, as well as Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Villarreal for another crack at the ultimate prize.