Sevilla’s third consecutive Europa League triumph was secured by condemning Liverpool to a 3-1 loss at the St. Jakob Park in Basel, Switzerland.
Sevilla coach Unai Emery said in that his side needed to produce a perfect performance to down Liverpool. Initially, this looked like a pipe dream as Daniel Sturridge’s opener was part of a first half that Jurgen Klopp’s men completely dominated. However, Emery and his team were faultless thereafter.
Kevin Gameiro’s goal 18 seconds after the restart sprung the Spaniards into action, before Coke added a brace to ensure the trophy would head back to Andalucia.
Sevilla’s dominance in this competition has continued despite huge player turnover throughout, while Emery deserves a huge amount of credit as his side not only managed to claw back Liverpool’s lead, but comprehensively turn the fate of the match after a sluggish first period.
For Liverpool, a chance at a major honour as well as Champions League football was squandered in the costly 3-1 loss. Jurgen Klopp must now figure out which players are surplus to requirements (ahem.. Alberto Moreno) to build ‘his’ team for the campaigns ahead.
Here are some of the best reactions on Twitter:
When you've got Sturridge on first scorer… pic.twitter.com/weJIvSFi6G
— talkingbaws (@talkingbaws) May 18, 2016
I shit you not i said at half time … Watch gameiro score in the first minute of the second half 😂😂🙈🙈🙈 I FEEL SICK 😂🙈😩
— GRIFF ✂ (@GriffyBoi88) May 18, 2016
Did anyone order a barrage of Coke tweets?
Coke fizzes as Liverpool fall flat – my final offering
— Bob Williams (@WilliamsBob75) May 18, 2016
Liverpool really could have done with Sakho tonight. He would have had Coke in his back pocket.
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) May 18, 2016
Not everyone was laughing.
When you read another Coke pun pic.twitter.com/BwA0YmZJVF
— Tom Adams (@tomEurosport) May 18, 2016
Social media was quick to point out that Liverpool had conceded three goals in 25 minutes after the restart.
The choke is real from Liverpool.
— Matthew Bailey (@Cyborgmatt) May 18, 2016
This capitulation from Liverpool is incredible, thought a Jurgen Klopp team would have more bottle than this.
— Ryan Roberts (@Ryeeeeman) May 18, 2016
It’s all bad news for Liverpool it seems, with those at the game pointing out the winners of the atmosphere stakes.
Have to also say that Sevilla fans, while outnumbered, were definitely the winners off the field too. #LFC fans need to improve.
— Ian Doyle (@IanDoyleSport) May 18, 2016
Sevilla fans heavily outnumbered but been magnificent tonight. Reds end struggling a bit to rouse itself, seems a bit in shock.1-3
— Andy Kelly (@AndyK_LivNews) May 18, 2016
Vamos Sevilla!
¡¡¡¡¡FINAL DEL PARTIDO!!!!! El #SevillaFC gana su quinta @EuropaLeague y tercera consecutiva #vamosmisevilla pic.twitter.com/2A7c81tsq3
— Sevilla Fútbol Club (@SevillaFC) May 18, 2016
Maybe next year. Or the year after that. Or never.
Heartbroken. Honesty. After Sturridge goal I could only see us winning it, Hendo lifting it then the CL then the world class players
— Jay (@Jay82_LFC) May 18, 2016
Alberto Moreno received some harsh criticism from Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher, amongst others. It turns out that putting on a horrible performance in the Europa League is really, really bad.
Jamie Carragher had some harsh words for Liverpool full-back Alberto Moreno tonight https://t.co/RZFmVUQsZ1 pic.twitter.com/WsRqfuMTAi
— The42.ie (@The42_ie) May 18, 2016
A new left back ASAP
— Billy Liddell (@Liddellpool) May 18, 2016
This Alberto Moreno performance is one of the worst individual performances I’ve seen for a very long time. Horrendous from start to finish.
— Liam Canning (@LiamPaulCanning) May 18, 2016
We never doubted you, sleeper agent Moreno
— Jack Lang (@jacklang) May 18, 2016
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