Liverpool reached the Europa League final

Jurgen Klopp was lost for words to describe Liverpool's performance after they reached the Europa League final with victory over Villarreal.

Trailing 1-0 from the semi-final first leg in Spain, Liverpool were dominant on Thursday night at Anfield, with an early Bruno own goal setting them on their way to a 3-0 win.

Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana scored in the second half as the Reds set up a meeting with Sevilla - who beat Shakhtar Donetsk 3-1 on the night and 5-3 on aggregate - in the final in Basel on Wednesday, May 18.

Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, Liverpool levelled the tie on aggregate after Bruno Soriano's early own goal.

Daniel Sturridge, left out of the team in Spain, then put the hosts in command with a low finish after good work from the excellent Roberto Firmino.

After Villarreal's Victor Ruiz was sent off, Adam Lallana made the win safe.

Klopp, who took over from Brendan Rodgers in October and celebrated wildly with supporters after the final whistle, has now taken the Reds to a second final of the season, following defeat by Manchester City in the League Cup final.

They will face Europa League holders Sevilla in Basel on 18 May, after they beat Shakhtar Donetsk 3-1 to win their semi-final 5-3 on aggregate.

Despite sitting nine points and 19 goals behind fourth-placed Manchester City in the Premier League, Liverpool would qualify for next season's Champions League should they win in Switzerland, representing a fine return for Klopp in such a short spell in charge.

The early opener came after Nathaniel Clyne crossed to the back post and Firmino put it back into the danger area. Sturridge missed the ball, but Bruno nudged into his own net.

Boosted by the goal, the hosts pressed Villarreal to distraction with James Milner, Philippe Coutinho and Lallana indefatigable in midfield.

Added to the poise offered by the returning Emre Can, who has been out injured for the past three weeks, and the trickery of Firmino, the visitors could not cope.

Sturridge, who has finally been able to enjoy a run of games after a shocking injury record, scored what appeared to be his most important Liverpool goal to put Klopp's side ahead in the tie.

Lallana then sparked more renditions of Liverpool's famous anthem when he tucked in from close range after more enterprise from Firmino.

Once Simon Mignolet parried Mario Gaspar's early shot and Jonathan dos Santos fired over, the Liverpool goalkeeper had little to do.

Villarreal, who had been on a 12-game unbeaten run in the competition, have now reached three Europa League semi-finals, previously losing twice to the eventual winners.

Liverpool will hope they can continue the Spanish side's unfortunate record.

Asked whether the performance had lived up to his expectations, Klopp said: "It was beyond my expectations. As a non-native speaker, I don't have the right words for this performance.

"It was nice to watch, nice to be part of it, the whole performance from the first second, from 6.45pm when we drove through the roads it was nice. The first half hour, what power.

"We lost a bit of patience and tried things differently, but in the second half, it was back to the plan and still very emotional and very smart. Wonderful goals and well deserved."

Klopp made two changes from the first leg, recalling Sturridge and Emre Can to the starting line-up, and afterwards he praised the contribution of the England striker.
Sevilla are a strong side. We will try our best, try to do everything for this wonderful club.

Jurgen Klopp
"It was a great game from Sturridge," he said. "You see when he is fit, he is unbelievable, but even he needs players to play with. I know about his quality, I knew it before, now I know it better."

Go to Livescore to see the score of the fastest game.