Liverpool’s Champions League hopes for next season lies on Wednesday’s Europa League final. Liverpool will be facing the Spanish side, Sevilla, in the final which is held in Basel. Sevilla has won the Europa League two times consecutively and will be looking for their third in a row. It’s all or nothing for Jurgen Klopp’s men. If they fail to win the Europa League, they will have no European tournaments next season. Jurgen Klopp rested his main players for Liverpool’s final Barclays Premier League match against West Brom on Sunday. Klopp also received a couple of injury boosts with captain Jordan Henderson and striker Divock Origi returning from injury.
Here is Liverpool’s predicted line-up to face Sevilla in the Europa League final:
Goalkeeper – Simon Mignolet-
Mignolet was one of the very few Liverpool players who had a good game against Chelsea last week. Mignolet’s shot stopping kept Liverpool in the game and helped the Reds get one point. The game against Chelsea will be a confidence booster for Mignolet who had an overall bad season. The Belgian is expected to guard Liverpool’s goal on Wednesday.
Defenders – Nathaniel Clyne, Dejan Lovren, Kolo Toure, Alberto Moreno-
Nathaniel Clyne has been Liverpool’s most consistent player this season. He has been solid at the back and also helped the Liverpool attack with his pace. The Englishman will have a tough challenge from Sevilla’s Yevhen Konoplyanka and he will be looking forward to it. Dejan Lovren has turned things around after the arrival of Jurgen Klopp. Lovren looked like a flop signing for Liverpool until Klopp took over as the Liverpool manager. He has been a key player for Liverpool in their Europa League run. His winning goal against Borussia Dortmund is one his major contributions. Kolo Toure is expected to be Lovren’s partner on Wednesday. Toure has been Lovren’s defensive partner since Mamadou Sakho got suspended after he failed drug tests. Kolo Toure could be playing his last game for Liverpool. The Ivory Coast international contract ends next month and it looks like the contract won’t be renewed. He will be looking to end his Liverpool career with a trophy. Alberto Moreno is expected to start against his former side. Alberto Moreno won the Europa League with Sevilla two years ago. On Wednesday he will be facing his former side for the same trophy. A few days ago, Moreno had said that he wants to break his former club’s hearts.
Midfielders – James Milner, Emre Can, Adam Lallana, Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino
James Milner is expected to lead Liverpool against Sevilla on Wednesday despite Jordan Henderson’s return. Milner has been in fine form recently and has been key for Liverpool. Emre Can made a quick return from injury against Villarreal two weeks ago. Emre Can’s was not expected to play for Liverpool again this season, but the young German was determined to help Liverpool to Europa League glory. Emre Can played a big role in Liverpool’s win over Villarreal in the Europa League Semi Final second leg. Jordan Henderson is expected to come on a substitute in the second half. He will provide extra energy in the second half. And he will be hoping to raise the Europa League trophy. Adam Lallana scored Liverpool’s third goal against Villarreal two weeks ago. Lallana has been one of Liverpool’s key players since Klopp’s arrival. Lallana’s pressing and energy will be key for Liverpool against Sevilla. Philippe Coutinho swept away four awards in Liverpool’s award ceremony. The Brazilian won Liverpool’s player of the season and he will have to put up another great performance to win against Sevilla. Roberto Firmino had a slow start to his Liverpool career, but since the start of 2016, he has been in top form. 10 of Firmino’s eleven goals this season have been scored in 2016. Firmino played a key role in Liverpool’s all three goals against Villarreal two weeks ago. Firmino is expected to start along with Coutinho and Lallana.
Striker – Daniel Sturridge-
Like Firmino, Sturridge also had a key role in Liverpool’s three goals against Villarreal. Sevilla’s defense is weak when compared to their defense. The fact that Sevilla has not won a single away game this season is because of their unstable defense. Daniel Sturridge will be looking to exploit it. The return of Divock Origi is a big boost for Jurgen Klopp. Origi is expected to come on as a substitute in the second half. His pace and dribbling will cause problems to the Sevilla defense. Origi was key for Liverpool against Borussia Dortmund in the Europa League Semi finals.