Jurgen Klopp Comments on Liverpool vs. Sevilla Ahead of Europa League Final

Sevilla's stunning UEFA Europa League record will not give them an advantage in Wednesday's final against Liverpool, according to Reds manager Jurgen Klopp. 

La Liga's side are going for an unprecedented third Europa League title in succession at Basel's St. Jakob-Park having beaten Dnipro in last season's final and Benfica in 2014—they also won the tournament in 2006 and 2007.

Liverpool, meanwhile, are appearing in their first European final since the 2-1 UEFA Champions League defeat to AC Milan in 2007, but Klopp does not believe Sevilla hold the edge, per Chris Shaw on the Reds' official website:

"

When you are experienced, it doesn’t mean you have an advantage, it’s only one part of all the parts around the game and in the game you have to rule or solve. There’s no advantage for one team.

If you won it last year, what does it mean? If you won it two years ago, what does it mean? Actually nothing, so it’s another game.

"

Liverpool's march to the final has been impressive as they have seen off Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund and Villarreal in the knockout rounds to earn the right to battle for the 2016 Europa League—and a spot in next season's Champions League.

Sevilla have arguably navigated an easier route, but they still had to beat Basel in the last 16, Athletic Bilbao in the quarter-finals and Shakhtar Donetsk in the semi-finals.

Wednesday presents Klopp with his second opportunity for silverware in just seven months in charge at Anfield following his side's defeat to Manchester City in the Capital One Cup final in February, per SuperSport:

The German manager said the fact that the Sevilla game is the only match left in the season means it will be easier for his side to focus, and potentially gain an advantage, per Shaw:

"

There’s nothing else to think about. Focusing is a very important part of preparation and in this case it’s pretty easy to be focused. That’s the biggest difference to all of the other games we’ve had until now, even when it was the semi-final or quarter-final. That’s a big difference. That’s why we [travelled] to Basel on Monday. We have nothing else to do, to be honest. There’s nothing more important in this moment.

"

Sevilla do have another game to focus on, as they face Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final on Sunday, "a big difference," according to Klopp, per Shaw.

Liverpool were boosted in Sunday's 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion on the final day of the Premier League season by the return to action of captain Jordan Henderson for the first time since early April.

His leadership could now be vital as Liverpool look to prevent Sevilla from securing a Europa League treble.

Klopp has seemingly instilled an intense belief in his Liverpool side that allowed them to overturn deficits in the ties against Dortmund and Villarreal.

That belief will be vital as the Reds look to end Klopp's first season in charge with yet another European title, and it bodes well for next season as Liverpool aim to reestablish themselves as Premier League contenders.