Liverpool secured their spot in their fourth Europa League final with a 3-1 aggregate victory over Villarreal in their semi-final.
The Spanish side secured a 1-0 triumph in the first leg following Adrian Lopez’s late winner, but the Reds ran out comfortable winners as a Bruno own goal as well as strikes from Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana secured a 3-0 victory in front of an emotional Anfield.
The win secures Liverpool’s fourth-ever showing in the Europa League final, and their first return in 15 years, having last featured in the showpiece event in 2001.
Intriguingly, the Reds have won all three of their final showings to date—in 1973, 1976 and 2001.
It’s a stat that should give fans of the Merseysiders some encouragement—never before have they fallen at this final hurdle in Europe’s secondary club competition.
Indeed, only one club have featured in more Europa League finals than Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Unfortunately, that team just happens to be Sevilla, their rivals in the final for the 2016 final.
The Rojiblancos are the most successful side in the competition’s history, having won the title four times.
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Their first triumph came in 2006, and they have subsequently lifted the title in 2006, 2014 and 2015.
Which of these two heavyweights will end their unbeaten final run in this year’s showpiece in Basel?