Sevilla win Europa League final with 3-1 victory over Liverpool

BASEL, Switzerland (AP):

Sevilla stunned Liverpool with a 3-1 comeback win to take a record third straight Europa League title yesterday.

Swept aside in the first half yet trailing only 1-0, the Spanish club equalised less than 18 seconds after the restart with Kevin Gameiro's goal from close range, and Coke struck twice in the 64th and 70th minutes.

Liverpool had led on Daniel Sturridge's beautifully curled shot with the outside of his left foot in the 35th.

Victory in the second-tier competition, for the fifth time in 11 seasons, lifts Sevilla into the Champions League group stage alongside Europe's elite next season.

"Sevilla and its fans love this competition. We want it so much," coach Unai Emery said. "Now we want to take the step toward the Champions League."

Defeat leaves Liverpool with no European football next season and dealt coach Juergen Klopp a fifth straight loss in a cup final, including the 2013 Champions League final when he was with Borussia Dortmund.

Klopp accepted that he and his players reacted poorly after Sevilla's fast start to the second half but also cited decisions that went against his team.

"If it was twice handball (then) 2-0 at half-time, it is different," Klopp reflected. "In a final when it is clear it is close, we needed a little luck. We hadn't."

The third Sevilla goal was also furiously disputed by Liverpool after an assistant signalled what at first seemed an apparent offside against Coke then lowered his flag.

It ensured that Spain will sweep Europe's club competitions for a third straight year, ahead of the AtlÈtico Madrid-Real Madrid final of the Champions League on May 28.