Liverpool to take on Sevilla in Europa League final after easing past Villarreal

Liverpool will meet Sevilla in the 2016 Europa League final after a comfortable second-leg victory over Villarreal.

Trailing after a stoppage time goal in the first leg in Spain, Liverpool took an early lead at Anfield after an own goal from Villarreal's Bruno Soriano, who inadvertently diverted Roberto Firmino's cross past his own goalkeeper.

Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana struck in the second half to settle the tie and book their place in the final in what is Jurgen Klopp's first season in charge.

They will meet Sevilla on 18 May at the St Jakob Stadium in Basel. The Liga side beat Shakhtar Donetsk 3-1 at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium, sealing a 5-3 aggregate win. The Andalusian club are already the Europa League's most successful side having won it on four occasions and will be seeking their third consecutive triumph when they come up against the Premier League side.

It took Liverpool just six minutes to wipe out Villarreal's lead at Anfield after Bruno's own goal and the Spanish side rarely threatened to ruin the home side's big night with James Milner, Philippe Coutinho and Emre Can all providing superb performances in midfield in front of a rocking Anfield crowd.

Dejan Lovren made a crucial interception to deny Cedric Bakambu early in the second half before Sturridge doubled his side's lead after 63 minutes following a clever through ball from the excellent Firmino.

Villarreal were reduced to 10 men when Victor Ruiz was shown a second yellow card for a late challenge on Lallana. It was the former Southampton midfielder who sealed the win 10 minutes from time, following up on Sturridge's miss-hit to tap home with a deft finish.

Liverpool will compete in their first European final since their Champions League defeat to AC Milan in 2007.