Terrific Liverpool reach Europa League final

Liverpool dismantled Villarreal to reach the Europa League final with a 3-0 win at Anfield as they comfortably overturned a one-goal first leg deficit.

An early own goal from Bruno settled any nerves, before second-half strikes from Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana saw them over the line.

It was a remarkably impressive team display, with particularly shining performances from Roberto Firmino and James Milner, whose industrious shifts created the opportunities for the always-threatening forward line.

Admittedly they were helped out by Villarreal's flaws, most notably a shaky goalkeeper in Alphonse Areola, and Victor Ruiz reducing his side to ten men for the final 20 minutes after receiving a second yellow card.

The Reds will meet Sevilla, the two-time defending champions, in the final at St-Jakob Park in Basel, Switzerland on May 18. The winner is guaranteed entry into next season's Champions League.

Can Liverpool challenge Sevilla in the final? On this evidence, yes. Their showings this season have been inconsistent, to say the least, but displays like tonight make them look like potential champions. In a variety of competitions.

Roberto Firmino (Liverpool). His sheer hard work combined beautifully with his skill on the ball - Villarreal could not cope with him.

Liverpool: Mignolet 6, Clyne 7, Toure 7, Lovren 8, Moreno 7, Can 7, Milner 8, Lallana 7, Firmino 8, Coutinho 7, Sturridge 8. Subs: Benteke 6, Allen 6, Lucas N/A.

Villarreal: Areola 4, Mario 6, Musacchio 5, Victor Ruiz 5, J Costa 5, J Dos Santos 5, Pina 5, Bruno 5, Suarez 5, Soldado 6, Bakambu 6. Subs: Trigueros 5, A Lopez 5, Bonera 5.

7’ GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Villarreal (1-1 on agg). Liverpool regroup, play it up from the back, and a great ball across the face of goal from Clyne, in acres of space, comes to Firmino on the other side and eventually falls towards the feet of Sturridge - it takes a deflection en route in. This is not good goalkeeping on show.

63’ GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Villarreal (2-1 on agg). Industry from Firmino, and then Daniel Sturridge gets his shot in off the inside of the post.

65’ SKILLS! Firmino just danced round Soldado in hilarious fashion, leaving the Villarreal player flailing an arm at him in vain.

71' RED CARD! From bad to worse for Villarreal as Ruiz picks up a second yellow card for jumping in and tripping Lallana.

82’ GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Villarreal (3-1 on agg). Adam Lallana gets his foot to another great piece of industry from Firmino down the left. And that, as Girls Aloud once sang, is that.

Villarreal have been eliminated from each of their four major European semi-finals.

Liverpool are the third English team to reach a Europa League final, following Fulham in 2010 and Chelsea in 2013.

Daniel Sturridge has scored in four of his last five appearances for Liverpool at Anfield in all competitions.