Liverpool delivered an assured performance to secure a 3-0 victory in the second leg of their semifinal with Villareal at Anfield -- and a place in the Europa League final.
The Reds needed to overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit against their Spanish opponents, and there were worrying moments early in the game when Mario Gaspar fired in a rasping volley which was well saved.
However Liverpool would take the lead just after, a low cross from Roberto Firmino causing a kerfuffle in the box -- and when Daniel Sturridge missed the tap-in, the ball bounced off defender Bruno and into the net.
Adam Lallana then had a fantastic opportunity to double their lead when James Milner played in an immaculate through-ball, but he failed to get a touch and the ball dribbled wide of the post.
The second half brought more joy for Liverpool, with Villareal giving away a slew of petulant fouls that allowed the home side to control possession -- and soon their dominance gave way to the vital second goal they were searching for.
Villareal failed to clear from the edge of their area, and Brazilian playmaker Roberto Firmino pounced to take the ball and play a first-time pass to Sturridge, who rolled it beyond Alphonse Areola and in off the inside of the post.
Liverpool could breathe a little easier shortly after too, when Victor Ruiz received a second yellow card for a stamp on Lallana -- and it was the Englishman who scored the Reds' third just moments later.
Roberto Firmino beat his man before delivering a well-placed pass to Sturridge, who could only mistime his shot -- but the ball fell into the path of Lallana, who tapped into an empty net to send Anfield into raptures.
Liverpool will now face Sevilla in the Europa League final after they won their semifinal clash against Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk 5-3 on aggregate.
Newshub.
