Five key questions ahead of the Europa League final

13 May 2016 05:00

Liverpool face Sevilla in the Europa League final in Basle on Wednesday.

Here we look at the game.

IS LIVERPOOL'S NAME ON THE CUP?

History suggests the omens are good for Jurgen Klopp's side. They have reached six semi-finals in this competition's various guises and on each occasion they have progress they have gone on to win the trophy (1973, 1976 and 2001).

WHAT WOULD WINNING THE EUROPA LEAGUE MEAN?

Firstly it would be their fourth success in the competition, coincidentally joining opponents Sevilla for the most victories, and a ninth major European trophy overall to draw level with Barcelona and AC Milan and three behind outright leaders Real Madrid. Secondly, it secures a welcome return to Champions League football next season - a competition Liverpool have played in just once in the last seven years.

CAN JURGEN KLOPP FOLLOW IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE CLUB'S PREVIOUS GREATS?

Should the German guide his side to victory in Basle he will become the sixth manager to lift a European title after Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley, Joe Fagan, Gerard Houllier and Rafael Benitez. All are revered at Anfield and Klopp has already gone a long way to cementing his relationship with fans, immersing himself in local culture and forging a real bond with the supporters who now chant his name.

ARE THERE ANY INTERESTING SUB-PLOTS?

Liverpool's left-back Alberto Moreno is facing his hometown club having come through the ranks to make 62 first-team appearances. His last match for Sevilla was their 2014 Europa League final victory over Benfica. Sevilla forward Jose Antonio Reyes and Liverpool's Kolo Toure were team-mates at Arsenal.

SO WHAT ARE SEVILLA'S CHANCES?

Unai Emery is bidding for a personal treble as he seeks to lead his side to an unprecedented third successive victory in any of the competition's previous guises. Sevilla's Europa League pedigree cannot be questioned with their four wins all coming since Liverpool's last European triumph in the 2005 Champions League. Victory for them would provide Spain with a 10th UEFA Cup/ Europa League success, lifting them above Italy as the competition's most successful nation.

Source: PA-WIRE