Liverpool rocky horror show: Jurgen Klopp out for the count despite fighting talk

LIVERPOOL lost the Sevilla war last night when they surrendered after being in a great position.

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DEFEAT: Jurgen Klopp has lost his last five finals

There had been loads of talk about fight prior to this Europa League final.

Jurgen Klopp invoked the Rocky films. His opposite number, Unai Emery, revealed how he had shadow-boxed with the German on the eve of this clash.

But having been ahead through a Daniel Sturridge goal - and on points if it was a boxing match - the Anfield outfit seemed dazed and confused after the break.

Their dream of a first European trophy in 11 years and a return to the Champions League was KO’d by three blows.

They were caught by a sucker-punch just 17 seconds after the break, a goal that had you wondering which corner Alberto Moreno was in.

First the ex-Sevilla star headed straight to right-back Mariano Ferreira.

Then he allowed the defender to brush past him after dashing over to try to cover.

All the Brazilian had to do was pick out French striker Kevin Gameiro to stroke the ball into an empty net.

In their very next move Gameiro might have scored again when he went clean through on goal.

But Kolo Toure conjured a superb slide-tackle with those 35-year-old legs.

Klopp remained remarkably calm and could even manage a wry smile to his assistants when Simon Mignolet somehow denied Gameiro with a thigh from close range in the 61st minute.

Some furious tapping of his head suggested the German was concerned about his men’s focus - and the near-silent Liverpool fans no doubt agreed with him.

They were right to, as in the 64rd minute Coke curled in from the edge of the box, then claimed his second six minutes later.

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FORLORN: Liverpool midfielder James Milner

It sparked a head-gripping pep talk for Adam Lallana from Klopp, who then, bizarrely, replaced him with Joe Allen seconds later.

It was a strange night for Klopp and his side.

Before half-time they looked on course for something special, with skipper James Milner proving to be their Magnificent 7, making more passes and covering more ground than any other player in the first 45 minutes.

They went ahead in the 35th minute with a strike fit to grace any final and loosen Seville’s grip on the trophy, which they have now won three times in a row.

Roberto Firmino found Philippe Coutinho, who fed it out instantly to the striker to his left.

With Ferreira seeming to block his route to goal, Sturridge had an answer - use the outside of his left foot to bend a superb strike into the far corner.

Klopp celebrated with a conservative fist pump, then made motions to suggest his players should play with the heads as well as their heart.

It was to prove a telling gesture as the side that came out after the interval played like somebody had spiked their half-time drinks, with those three goals scored far too easily.

Klopp took the defeat with dignity, although there was what seemed a sarcastic conversation with referee Jonas Eriksson following claims of offside over the third goal.

His fellow German, Emre Can, was distraught. This was a night when he and far too many of his team-mates, Coutinho in particular, did not produce when it mattered.

But what this game showed more than anything is Klopp needs to draw up a new battle plan if Liverpool are to conquer the Premier League or Europe again.