Liverpool vs. Villarreal: Score and Reaction from 2016 Europa League, Leg 2

Daniel Sturridge helped send Liverpool into the UEFA Europa League Final after scoring the pivotal second goal in the Reds' 3-0 win over Villarreal during their semi-final second leg at Anfield on Thursday night.

Sturridge added to a first-half own goal from playmaker Bruno to overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit before Adam Lallana sealed things late on to book Liverpool's passage to Basel, Switzerland, to face defending champions Sevilla on May 18.

Lallana's goal came after Villarreal centre-back Victor Ruiz was sent off for receiving a second booking. Even with 11 versus 11, though, the Yellow Submarine were outclassed.

Among the many stellar performances, it was Sturridge who stood out, using his pace and clever movement to constantly torment Villarreal's defence. He offered a reminder of his quality after being left out in the first leg at El Madrigal.

Reds chief Jurgen Klopp brought Sturridge into the lineup to lead the attack this time, while he also welcomed back Emre Can after a lengthy injury, per the club:

Villarreal manager Marcelino shook up the starting XI with a key change at the back. He swapped goalkeepers, bringing in Alphonse Areola at the expense of Sergio Asenjo, per the club:

It was a decision Marcelino would come to regret.

The game started at a frenetic pace with action in both boxes. First, Villarreal's deputy stopper flapped at an early cross—a sign of things to come.

But the Yellow Submarine posed their own attacking threat. Mario came close after the right-back saw his deflected shot saved well by Simon Mignolet. The chance was created via smart combination work from strikers Cedric Bakambu and Roberto Soldado.

Jonathan Dos Santos was the next to work Mignolet but blazed his shot over the net. It proved a costly miss, as Liverpool soon went in front.

Roberto Firmino's fizzed low cross in front of Areola was mistakenly turned in by the unfortunate Bruno after the keeper had lost his bearings at the vital moment.

Villarreal were consistently denied the right of reply by Liverpool's buccaneering pressing game. Klopp's players hounded and harried every man in possession.

The home side's press-in-platoons approach was best illustrated by this graphic from Squawka Football:

If there was one worry for Liverpool, it came from the raiding runs of Mario. The Spain international frequently exploited the space vacated by Alberto Moreno on the left flank.

As a reminder of Villarreal's menace, the first half ended with the lively Bakambu tucking a shot too close to Mignolet from close range. It was the same striker who nearly opened Liverpool up at the start of the second, only for a superb tackle from Dejan Lovren to deny him.

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But while Villarreal laboured, Liverpool always looked more confident on the break. Their confidence was rewarded with the second goal when Firmino's attempt rolled into Sturridge's path and the England striker struck home via the aid of the post.

Brazilian maestro Firmino was beginning to take to the occasion, showing off some of his irresistible natural flair.

Things got worse for the visitors when Ruiz received his second yellow card.

As if to pile on, Lallana's goal soon followed thanks to some silky skills from Firmino and good industry from Sturridge. It wrapped up the scoring and provided an appropriate exclamation point to an emphatic performance from the Reds.

Post-Match Reaction

Klopp was left unimpressed by Marcelino's chiding remarks concerning his wild goal celebrations. The German hit back, per Liverpool Echo reporter Andy Kelly:

Marcelino also bemoaned decisions he felt went against his team, particularly when Villarreal were building attacks, per AFP's Tom Williams:

Meanwhile, Sturridge praised the atmosphere at Anfield and delighted in his scoring comeback, per the club:

Liverpool's march to the final is a credit to Klopp, who has now got his squad playing the high-intensity pressing game he loves. It's a style of play sure to make them dangerous in the final, despite Sevilla's pedigree in this competition.

As for Villarreal, losing at a familiar stage doesn't shame their excellent season, one that has seen Marcelino's men qualify for the play-off phase of next season's UEFA Champions League.