The players' view: Liverpool v Sevilla
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Article summary
We get thoughts on the UEFA Europa League final from six players likely to have a big role in it: the captains, Kevin Gameiro, Alberto Moreno, James Milner and Daniel Carriço.
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Jordan Henderson, Liverpool captain
It's a great opportunity for us to win a trophy. We'll have our game plan and if we focus on that then I'm sure we'll win it. Playing big games like these is everything you dream of as a young boy. We've made massive progress this season. Since Klopp arrived he has instilled massive belief not only in the players but in the fans, too. Every player has gone up a level.
Coke, Sevilla captain
We had to play a preliminary round in Podgorica in 2013/14, and when we went there we were really excited, as though we were about to play in a final! Because of that attitude, the team and the fans started to love this tournament. And the Europa League has really rewarded us with a lot of success. Our team has fought so hard to get here, and some of my team-mates, like [Marco] Andreolli and Michael [Krohn-Dehli], unfortunately won't be able to play because of injury, and that hurts. We will be fighting for them and for our families.
James Milner, Liverpool midfielder
We're fully focused on winning a trophy. You play to be involved in the biggest games. It's all about looking back at the end of your career and seeing what you've won. So much is put on the top four – obviously everyone wants to be in the Champions League – but ultimately, if you finish your career not winning anything but being in the Champions League for six seasons; who cares? It'd be a shame to waste all the good performances we had in getting here.
Daniel Carriço, Sevilla midfielder
It's the third time this side have been in a final and we are well aware that this is a historic moment for us. We can look at the trophy now [it was on display during Tuesday's press conference] but we can't touch it. It would be great to get our hands on it again, though, for the club and also for ourselves. We have analysed how Liverpool play, and under Klopp they seem happier and know what to do – they have many individuals who can change the game.
Alberto Moreno, Liverpool defender
It will be a strange final. I was born in Seville, I am from Seville and I'm a Sevilla fan. I was at Sevilla for ten years. A year and a half ago I was sharing the dressing room with my friends at Sevilla, and now I'll be facing them in a European final. Winning the 2014 final with Sevilla is a wonderful memory. Winning a trophy is amazing – it was my first year as a professional. Would I love to win it again? Of course. The club and the fans need a trophy. I think they deserve it.
Kevin Gameiro, Sevilla forward
We're used to these kinds of games. We'll need to stay calm, keep a cool head and give everything we've got. The most important thing is winning. We know it will be a very difficult game; Liverpool have great players at the back and up front, so we'll need to give our all. I like that kind of pressure. The day I don't feel that pressure, I’ll stop playing football.