West Ham qualify for Europa League with Manchester United FA Cup win

The Red Devils' 2-1 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday sees the resultant European qualification spot go to the seventh placed team in the Premier League.

Manchester United's FA Cup win has secured a place in the Europa League for West Ham.

Jesse Lingard's extra-time strike saw the Red Devils beat Crystal Palace 2-1 at Wembley on Saturday, denying Alan Pardew's men a place in Europe next season.

Having finished fifth in the league, United have already bookeda spot in the continental competition next season, meaning the Europa League qualification spot up for grabs in Saturday's final drops to the next unqualified team in the English top flight.

Europe here we come!@ManUtd's@EmiratesFACupwin means we have qualified for the Europa League!#WeAreGoingAbroadpic.twitter.com/t18Aji3Ywe— West Ham United FC (@whufc_official)May 21, 2016.

As a result, Slaven Bilic's Hammers, who finished seventh in the table, will now have a chance to play in the competition as they will feature in the qualifying round next term, while Southampton, who were sixth, are now sure of a place in the group stage of the tournament, having initially booked a spot in the qualifiers.

The east London side failed to make it to the group stage this season after they made it to the final qualifying round but crashed out against Astra with a 4-3 aggregate defeat.

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Rami confident he will be fit to face Barcelona

Adil Rami is confident he will be fit for Sevilla's Copa del Rey final against Barcelona on Sunday.

The centre-back was replaced by Timothee Kolodziejczak after 78 minutes of the Europa League final victory over Liverpool on Wednesday having sustained an injury while stretching for a challenge.

Rami does not believe the issue is serious, however, and backed himself to remain in the starting line-up as Sevilla go in search of a cup double this weekend.

"It was just a strain and it was impossible to move. It was better to go off [and] we needed fresh people," said the Frenchman.

"But I do not have a serious injury. I will be able to play the final.

"Tomorrow, no, but later, on Friday, we watch videos, work and more work. We want more."

Sevilla trailed to Daniel Sturridge's goal at half-time in Basle but recovered to claim the trophy for a third successive season by winning 3-1.

Rami praised coach Unai Emery's role in helping the Andalusians turn the match around.

"It was a very difficult game against a historic team. We have the Copa [to come] and we are in the Champions League," he added.

"We have a coach who transmits [his] mental strength. He is a fighter."

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Emery wants long-term Sevilla stay

Sevilla's three-time Europa League-winning coach Unai Emery is happy to spend the remainder of his career at the club.

Emery further enhanced his reputation as he masterminded Sevilla's come-from-behind 3-1 win over Liverpool for a third successive Europa League title.

The 44-year-old, who attracted interest from AC Milan last season, is reportedly a candidate to replace Roberto Martinez at Premier League outfit Everton, but Emery wants to stay at Sevilla.

"I am very happy here at the club. As long as Sevilla wants me we are preparing for the present and future," Emery said.

"I work thinking I am going to stay my whole life but I know how football works.

"I don't know what is going to happen."

Sevilla have an opportunity to add another trophy to their collection when they face La Liga champions Barcelona in Sunday's Copa del Rey final.

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Klopp: I have never had a bad decision go my way in a final

Jurgen Klopp said he has never been on the right side of a wrong decision in a final after his Liverpool team lost 3-1 to Sevilla in the Europa League final on Wednesday.

In his post-match news conference, Klopp was asked by a German reporter for his thoughts on Andujar Coke's second goal after the referee overruled his linesman on an offside call.

Replays later showed that the ball had clearly come off Philippe Coutinho into the attacker's path but Klopp said it was the first time had ever seen a referee overrule his linesman.

"I've had a lot of games as a coach but it is not that often that a referee overrules the linesman," the German said.

"But right after the match someone said it was the right decision because Coutinho has played the pass."

Klopp said he felt like he never had luck in finals, having seen at least two penalty appeals waved away in the first half.

"You speak German so I guess you've seen some finals with me," he said.

"I've lost some finals in the last years and no wrong decision was in my favour... in no final! But this will change for sure. We just need more finals.

"But today ... there were two decisions which were not in our favour.

"But at the end the first thing to do is to be self-critical. And I'm not finished with that."

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Klopp: I have never had a bad decision go my way in a final

Jurgen Klopp said he has never been on the right side of a wrong decision in a final after his Liverpool team lost 3-1 to Sevilla in the Europa League final on Wednesday.

In his post-match news conference, Klopp was asked by a German reporter for his thoughts on Andujar Coke's second goal after the referee overruled his linesman on an offside call.

Replays later showed that the ball had clearly come off Philippe Coutinho into the attacker's path but Klopp said it was the first time had ever seen a referee overrule his linesman.

"I've had a lot of games as a coach but it is not that often that a referee overrules the linesman," the German said.

"But right after the match someone said it was the right decision because Coutinho has played the pass."

Klopp said he felt like he never had luck in finals, having seen at least two penalty appeals waved away in the first half.

"You speak German so I guess you've seen some finals with me," he said.

"I've lost some finals in the last years and no wrong decision was in my favour... in no final! But this will change for sure. We just need more finals.

"But today ... there were two decisions which were not in our favour.

"But at the end the first thing to do is to be self-critical. And I'm not finished with that."

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'Devastated' Milner says referee not to blame for Europa League loss

James Milner refused to blame the officials for Liverpool's Europa League final defeat to Sevilla, saying his side did not perform to the level they expected.

Jurgen Klopp's side held a deserved 1-0 lead at half-time in Basle thanks to a brilliant Daniel Sturridge goal, but the holders produced a superb comeback to secure a 3-1 victory and clinch a third trophy in as many years.

The Liverpool boss confronted the referee after the match, with his side having seen two shouts for a penalty for handball waved away, while they felt aggrieved that the referee overruled a decision to flag Coke's second goal for offside even though the ball had clearly come off Philippe Coutinho into the winger's path.

Milner, however, insisted afterwards that his side cannot feel hard done by given their lacklustre display in the second half.

"It's devastating losing the game but I think the most disappointing thing is that we didn't show anywhere near what we're about. We didn't play anywhere near our abilities," he told BT Sport.

"The linesman's flag went up but the ref's given it the other way. There were a few decisions which didn't go our way but it's nothing to do with the referee. We've shown throughout this competition that we're good enough to win it but we haven't tonight, the night that it mattered most - that's the most important thing."

The defeat - Liverpool's second in a cup final this season, after their penalty shootout defeat in the League Cup to Manchester City - means Klopp's side miss out on European football for next season, after they finished eighth in the Premier League.

"We haven't really thought about the Champions League [qualification spot], it was all about winning this trophy," Milner said. "It's disappointing for a club of our stature and it'll take a long time to get over it, but we have to regroup and learn from it. We've been to two finals this year and not managed to get over the line so we need to learn from that."

Kevin Gameiro's equaliser came just 17 seconds into the second half and Milner conceded that Liverpool never recovered from the setback.

"We were ready, we made sure we were on it and everyone was switched on, but we gave a sloppy goal away and never really got back into the game from that," added the England international.

"We've shown that character time and time again to come back in this tournament this season but when you leave yourself too much to do that many times it's very difficult to keep doing it."

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#RoadToBasel2016 FINAL: Liverpool 1 vs 3 Sevilla| Highlights Download

Two goals from Coke saw Sevilla come from behind to win a third consecutive Europa League with a 3-1 victory over Liverpool in Basle.

Unai Emery's men, outplayed in the first half, responded with an emphatic second 45 minutes to leave Liverpool reeling and condemn Jurgen Klopp to a fifth-straight defeat in a major final.

Download Highlights

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#RoadToBasel2016: Captain Coke leads holders to Europa League history

Two goals from Coke saw Sevilla come from behind to win a third consecutive Europa League with a 3-1 victory over Liverpool in Basle.

Unai Emery's men, outplayed in the first half, responded with an emphatic second 45 minutes to leave Liverpool reeling and condemn Jurgen Klopp to a fifth-straight defeat in a major final.

Liverpool, who had dispatched Villarreal so impressively in the second leg of the semi-final, were the better side in the first half and deservedly took the lead when Daniel Sturridge curled in a superb finish from the edge of the area.

But Sevilla, who came from behind to beat Dnipro in last year's final, responded seconds after half-time with Kevin Gameiro's 29th goal of the season, before Coke capped a fine team move to put the holders ahead.

Klopp, whose side also lost the League Cup final to Manchester City in February, introduced Divock Origi in a bid to find a response but Coke struck a crucial blow 20 minutes from time, steering the ball beyond Simon Mignolet from close range despite Liverpool's appeals for offside.

Liverpool produced a memorable comeback against AC Milan to win their last European trophy in 2005, but there was to be no repeat of those Istanbul heroics as Sevilla became the first team to win Europe's secondary competition three years running and ensured a spot in next season's Champions League.

Sevilla started with more control in a cagey opening 10 minutes, although Emre Can brought the first save of the match out of David Soria with a low effort from the edge of the area.

Daniel Carrico made a timely intervention to hook Sturridge's header off the line as Liverpool began to look threatening on the break, and Roberto Firmino felt he should have earned a penalty when he diverted the ball into the arm of the Sevilla centre-back.

Gameiro got his first sight of goal, hooking a bicycle kick narrowly wide of the near post following a corner, but Sturridge produced a moment of magic to open the scoring 10 minutes before the break.

Philippe Coutinho found Sturridge on the edge of the area and the England striker bent a sublime finish beyond Soria with the outside of his left foot.

Lovren thought he had made it 2-0 with a towering header four minutes later, but the assistant referee flagged for offside after Sturridge had stuck out a foot to intercept the ball.

The Liga side would have been glad to go into the break just a goal behind but they produced a fine response just 17 seconds into the second half. Mariano skipped easily past the challenge of former Sevilla full-back Alberto Moreno and squared across goal for Gameiro, who tapped into an unguarded net.

Sevilla, suddenly buoyant, missed two great chances to take the lead through Gameiro before the hour mark. The Frenchman was first denied by a fine block tackle from Kolo Toure after racing in behind the Liverpool back line, before he scuffed a volley straight at Mignolet after Steven N'Zonzi's header found him completely unmarked six yards out.

Yet just as Sevilla looked as though they might rue those misses, Coke stepped up to put his side in control. A fine passing move involving Ever Banega and Vitolo saw Sevilla slice through the heart of Liverpool's midfield, and when the ball broke to Coke, he rifled a first-time shot into Mignolet's bottom-right corner.

And Coke put the holders on the brink of an historic win six minutes later, squeezing a shot in off Mignolet from the right of the six-yard box after the ball had deflected off Coutinho and into the Sevilla captain's path.

Liverpool pushed for a repeat of the dramatic comeback which saw them oust Borussia Dortmund in the semi-finals, but Sevilla held on to lift the trophy in front of their vociferous supporters.

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Milner hoping to end cup final exile

Liverpool midfielder James Milner is targeting redemption in the Europa League decider after enduring several cup final exiles in his time at Manchester City.

While Milner won two out of three cup finals at City, the 30-year-old played in just one of them - a 1-0 loss to Wigan Athletic in the 2013 FA Cup decider. 

His record at other clubs is not much better, losing the 2009-10 League Cup final against Manchester United and the 2015-16 edition of the tournament against former club City. 

But now, as he prepares to captain Liverpool in Wednesday's Europa League final against Sevilla, Milner will need to put those bad experiences behind him.

"A couple of times I had played every round so thought I might play in the final. But the manager picks the team he thinks is right and that's that," he said.

"The time we pipped Liverpool to the title at City, I started in five of six games and then missed out on the final one when we actually won it.

"The one that stung me the most was when we had won the trophy and the manager came up to me and said 'I should have played you,' but he never did.

"I thought that was a bit pointless - I don't know what you're supposed to do with that. That one probably hurt me the most, but I'm not going to say who it was."

Milner said his decision to move to Liverpool in the off-season was to win trophies, and the stand-in skipper is hoping he can help the Merseyside club to their first European crown in 11 years.

"When I moved it was because I thought I had a chance of winning trophies, even thought people thought I'd have more of that at City," he explained.

"A big reason I came was to play more football and not have any regrets at the end of my career, and get the most out of it.

"I'm 30 and although it's not old, it's probably the latter phase of my career.

"I want to play as much as I can, look back and think that I left nothing out there, no wasted games - you want to be remembered for what you've won and what sort of player you are."

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Milner hoping to end cup final exile

Liverpool midfielder James Milner is targeting redemption in the Europa League decider after enduring several cup final exiles in his time at Manchester City.

While Milner won two out of three cup finals at City, the 30-year-old played in just one of them - a 1-0 loss to Wigan Athletic in the 2013 FA Cup decider. 

His record at other clubs is not much better, losing the 2009-10 League Cup final against Manchester United and the 2015-16 edition of the tournament against former club City. 

But now, as he prepares to captain Liverpool in Wednesday's Europa League final against Sevilla, Milner will need to put those bad experiences behind him.

"A couple of times I had played every round so thought I might play in the final. But the manager picks the team he thinks is right and that's that," he said.

"The time we pipped Liverpool to the title at City, I started in five of six games and then missed out on the final one when we actually won it.

"The one that stung me the most was when we had won the trophy and the manager came up to me and said 'I should have played you,' but he never did.

"I thought that was a bit pointless - I don't know what you're supposed to do with that. That one probably hurt me the most, but I'm not going to say who it was."

Milner said his decision to move to Liverpool in the off-season was to win trophies, and the stand-in skipper is hoping he can help the Merseyside club to their first European crown in 11 years.

"When I moved it was because I thought I had a chance of winning trophies, even thought people thought I'd have more of that at City," he explained.

"A big reason I came was to play more football and not have any regrets at the end of my career, and get the most out of it.

"I'm 30 and although it's not old, it's probably the latter phase of my career.

"I want to play as much as I can, look back and think that I left nothing out there, no wasted games - you want to be remembered for what you've won and what sort of player you are."

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Europa League glory could lead to title tilt - Gerrard

Liverpool face Sevilla in Wednesday's Europa League final, and former captain Steven Gerrard says triumph in Basle could prove the beginning of a glorious era under Jurgen Klopp.

In his 17 years at Anfield, Gerrard won three European crowns - the UEFA Cup and Super Cup in 2001, as well as the Champions League on that memorable night in Istanbul in 2005.

With Gerrard now departed and Klopp replacing Brendan Rodgers at the helm, 2015-16 has seen the beginnings of a new age at Anfield, the German already enjoying success since taking over in October.

A run to the League Cup final ended in penalty-shootout defeat to Manchester City, but Liverpool have a second chance for silverware - and a place in next season's Champions League - when they face double defending champions Sevilla at St Jakob-Park.

And Gerrard believes victory could provide a springboard for the club to possibly challenge for Premier League glory in 2016-17.

"Winning the final against Sevilla will mean a European trophy, a place in history for all those players and the sense they are at the beginning of a new era under one of the greatest coaches of his generation," Gerrard wrote in his column for The Telegraph.

"All the talk in August would be about what was next for Jurgen Klopp's side - a possible title challenge. With the calibre of player they could attract, and Champions League qualification, there would be confidence Liverpool could challenge.

"Then there is the darker road, the one none of us who love Liverpool want to contemplate. It's the second final defeat in a matter of months, disrupting the feel-good-factor achieved in securing that flight to Switzerland, undermining the meaning of those notable wins over Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund and Villarreal.

"Not just another year without a trophy, but no European competitions at all next season. That would have an impact on the quality of players Klopp could attract, the financial rewards for the club and the morale of the squad. 

"In both 2001 and 2005, I came off the pitch saying they would be the catalysts for a new era of success. We were given the perfect platform to go on and we never took it, especially after Istanbul."

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Klopp not concerned by final failures

Jurgen Klopp has dismissed his poor record in finals as he attempts to win his first trophy in charge of Liverpool on Wednesday.

Klopp's men take on two-time defending champions Sevilla in the Europa League final in Basle with the German looking to claim his first piece of major silverware since the 2012 DFB-Pokal, when Borussia Dortmund trounced Bayern Munich 5-2.

Since that night in Berlin, Klopp led Dortmund to three more title-games - the 2013 Champions League final and the DFB-Pokal final in 2013 and 2015 - without success. He also guided Liverpool to the 2016 League Cup final at Wembley where they were beaten on penalties by Manchester City.

Despite that modest record, the 48-year-old is adamant it is not a major concern heading into the clash at St-Jakob Park. 

He told reporters at Tuesday's news conference: "There is no frustration. Before a final I think only about a performance. All you can do is win or lose!

"All the teams I have had in finals performed really well and had close games, so I am not frustrated with my final record.

"Sure, I could have won more, but that is how it is. When it's over it's over. I was not happy after finals when I didn't win, but I don't think about it now. I have silver medals, but that's better than no medals. The longer you go without winning, the harder you try."

Klopp says Liverpool's appearance in the final reinforces his confidence in the players at the club.

"I came here because I was really convinced of the quality of these players," he added. "At the start I was the only person, but now a few more people know. To see how they deserve this final makes me feel really good. I am not sure what will happen tomorrow, but even the experience is important."

Despite it being a final, Klopp insists Liverpool's preparation will not change.

When asked if he had anything special planned, he replied: "As normal as possible. The special circumstances are obvious - we have to do more press, for the last two or three weeks everybody wants to ask about this game, tickets etc.

"The rest needs to be as usual as possible, otherwise our preparation for other games would have been wrong.

"We had pressure against Villarreal, Dortmund, and these boys always did a perfect job, so why should I change? If I change, they think 'maybe he thinks they are not ready' and I am sure they are ready.

"That's the situation. We feel good. I am pleased that I can be part of this moment, with this team. When I came here there was doubt about these players, and I am happy that they could show how strong they are. Tomorrow is a big chance to take a big step."

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Henderson not banking on Europa League final start

Jordan Henderson is ready to go for Liverpool's Europa League final clash with Sevilla but the club captain does not expect to make Jurgen Klopp's starting XI in Basle.

Henderson sustained lateral collateral knee ligament damage during the first leg of the Premier League side's quarter-final triumph over Borussia Dortmund, a setback that appeared to signal the end of his campaign.

But the 25-year-old returned as a substitute in Sunday's 1-1 Premier League draw against West Brom and was named in Roy Hodgson's provisional 26-man England squad for Euro 2016 the following day.

"The injury is good," Henderson, who has also suffered with a chronic ankle problem over recent seasons, told a pre-match news conference.

"I've progressed really well, trained and managed to play 25 to 30 minutes. I feel good, and will play as long as the boss wants me to."

Henderson explained his team-mates will be kept guessing over whether they have made the cut for Klopp's line-up, with the German tactician a fan of keeping his cards close to his chest until a few hours before kick-off.

"We don't know yet," he said. "We'll probably find out a few hours before the game as always - no hints.

"I don't expect to start. I've been out a long time. I've only played 30 minutes and the team has done very well to reach the final.

"But at the same time I feel good. I hope I've been okay in training, and I'm ready to play as long or as little as the manager wants."

Klopp was appointed at Liverpool after the club parted company with Brendan Rodgers earlier in the season, following a return of 12 points from eight Premier League matches and a pair of uninspiring Europa League draws against Bordeaux and Sion.

Henderson concedes the turnaround under Klopp has been impressive.

"We've made massive progress," he added. "From the start of the season when the manager has come in he has put belief and mentality not only into the players, but the fans and the whole club.

"Over the last six or seven months, we've gone up a level as a team, every single player has gone up a level and now we're in a European final on the big stage.

"Hopefully we can perform like we have been over the last few months, and if we can do that I'm very confident we can win the game."

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#RoadToBasel2016: Emery calls for 'perfect, focused' Sevilla

Sevilla will need a "perfect" performance to overcome Liverpool and win a third successive Europa League title, according to coach Unai Emery.

The Liga side are in familiar territory, having won the competition four times, starting with their maiden triumph in its previous guise of the UEFA Cup in 2005-06.

Emery's men would make history if they continue their sequence of success at Basle's St Jakob-Park on the back of 2014's penalty shootout win over Benfica and last year's thrilling 3-2 victory against outsiders Dnipro.

Liverpool boast considerable European pedigree as a club and enter the final in prime form, having dispatched tournament favourites Borussia Dortmund before a convincing semi-final showing to account for Villarreal.

"To beat Liverpool, we need to be perfect," Emery said. 

"When Sevilla are focused we do not fail.

"Liverpool are among the 10 best teams in the world. They are pure football, real football, they have a great history - they have won five European Cups, won the UEFA Cup and leagues in England.

"The team has changed a little bit with a new coach but it is a team with great players. It is a happy team.

"I think the tie is at 50 per cent. Half for them because of their history and a good moment beating really important teams in Europe.

"And the other 50 percent for us because we are the current champions and we will fight to keep the title."

Emery and Klopp both cut animated figures on the touchline and the Sevilla boss revealed the two men have jokingly discussed a potential touchline clash during Wednesday's fixture.

"I spoke to Klopp and asked if we were going to fight - and then we were shadow boxing," Emery added.

"He punched me and I returned it stronger. He is stronger and taller than me, maybe prettier as well.

"We will fight tomorrow at the pitch but I guess everyone will enjoy a great day in the stands."

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Sevilla's Europa League record means nothing - Klopp

Sevilla's superb record in the Europa League will have no impact on Wednesday's final, according to Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

Unai Emery's side have won the last two tournaments and have already made history by becoming the first team to reach three finals in a row.

Klopp accepts that Sevilla's experience in recent years will help them with their preparations for the showdown in Basle but does not believe it will give them any kind of advantage over Liverpool.

"What we know is that they have another game [the Copa del Rey final] after this game," he told the club's official website. "They have a big final again. They have two finals, that's a big difference. 

"But they are quite experienced and will be ready too, no doubt about this. 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. 

"We didn't play them last year in the final, we didn't play them two years ago in the final, so it's the first time they play against us. So that's our big advantage because we think we are quite different to all other teams in this moment. That's what we'll try to use."

Klopp admits there is a certain amount of pressure on Liverpool to finish the season with a trophy - and a place in the Champions League - but he has no concerns over the confidence of his players.

"It's kind of a strange feeling, of course. I'm really looking forward to it but I know it will be real work," he said. "There will be pressure and a lot of things around the game. It's very important that we handle this close to perfection. That's what I think about.

"The problem in football always is that there's another team with the same target. But we know about that, so that's no real issue. Belief in our strength will be at 100 per cent before the game, for sure."

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Koeman: Southampton deserve Europa League

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman said Europa League group stage football is the least his side deserve after another solid Premier League campaign which could see the club finish as high as fifth.

Koeman and Co. sit fifth after 38 games following a 4-1 demolition of Crystal Palace on Sunday, but await their final position with Manchester United's home fixture against AFC Bournemouth being delayed amidst a bomb scare - which later turned out to be a dummy device left behind after a training exercise.

But Koeman said fifth place - and a direct spot in the Europa League - would be a fair reward for Southampton after an improved season.

"[Europa League was] a good experience for everybody [last season]," Koeman said. "It was the first time for most of the players how you need to deal in the beginning of the season and also for us the pre-season.

"That's a different one if you need to play at the end of July.

"Of course we hope we go straight to the group stage. That will be perfect and I think we deserve that.

"What we do after a special season last year, what I call this season I don't know. Even more special.

"Great football, great players and a big support of the fans."

Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prose backed his manager, describing the iteration of the first team squad as the club's best yet.

"The quality of the players is at its highest level ever," he said. "The unity of the club right from top to bottom is great, everyone's pushing in the same direction and I think that obviously helps to achieve what we want to achieve.

"It means everything [to qualify for the Europa League].

"You look around the club, the infrastructure of the club from top to bottom it is all built for European football.

"The players and the manager are all geared up for European football, so to be able to finally bring that back to the fans, who deserve European football, is obviously fantastic and we're looking forward to it."

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Klopp: No one guaranteed a spot in Europa League final

There are plenty of Europa League final places still up for grabs in the Liverpool line-up, according to manager Jurgen Klopp. 

Klopp has been forced into heavy rotations as Liverpool progressed through the quarter and semi-finals of the continental competition. 

The German has used a total of 27 different players since the start of April due to the amount of extra games and injuries to several star players. 

However, with two Premier League matches still to go before the May 18 final against Sevilla, Klopp insists there are still plenty of opportunities for players to stake their claim for a starting role.

"Of course there are places available," Klopp told the Liverpool Echo.

"Who knows who is going to be in the line-up next Wednesday? I have no idea.

"Hopefully we will have more players coming back and then we will have a really difficult choice to make.

"But I haven't thought for one second yet about the line-up for Sevilla.

"You cannot say 'we will hold players back for the final'. We have to take what we can get from our last two league games and then we will see.

"Not one of the players who was rested on Sunday because of the intensity of Thursday night was like: 'Yes! How cool is this! Let me stay at home'.

"Instead they were like: 'What? Why me?' They all wanted to play. [Adam] Lallana, Emre [Can], Dejan [Lovren], blah, blah, blah, all these guys. That's a good situation.

"I don't want to create a pressure and say 'come on, show me you are ready for the final'.

"We will just see how things are over the coming days, how everyone is, and then we will make a decision for Chelsea, then for West Brom and then hopefully with the whole squad together for the final."

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#RoadToBasel2016: Klopp retracts Basle invitation to ticketless Liverpool fans

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has retracted his invitation to Liverpool fans to travel to the Europa League final in Basle even if they do not have tickets.

After his side booked a showpiece meeting against Sevilla by beating Villarreal at Anfield on Thursday, Klopp urged Liverpool supporters to travel to Basle.

But following Liverpool's 2-0 Premier League win at home against Watford on Sunday - Joe Allen and Roberto Firmino with the goals - Klopp took back his previous statement in an impassioned plea at the start of his press conference.

"Last time I spoke about Basle, I spoke like a supporter. I invited all Liverpool fans to Basle - that was not too smart to be honest," the German said.

"Basle is a nice city but it is not ready for us - it was my mistake. I have to take back the invitation.

"Please only people with tickets go there, because everything else would be chaos and we don't want this. We have to concentrate on football.

"If you cannot be there, stay at home or come to Liverpool, watch the game with your friends and let's have a party afterwards.

"So that's really, really, really necessary now that you listen. Most of the time you can ignore what I say, but now it's really important.

"We have to send just the team plus 10,000. The rest, all over the world, can enjoy the game with best friends and family."

Liverpool have also released a statement urging fans without tickets for the game not to travel to Basle.

The club said: "Liverpool has fans all over the world and the club wants to make them aware that the surrounding infrastructure in Basle is only set up for match attendees. Transport will be restricted and all local accommodation is sold out."

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Henderson, not Milner, will lift Europa League trophy if Liverpool win

Stand-in Liverpool skipper James Milner said Jordan Henderson will lift the Europa League trophy if the Merseyside club beat Sevilla in the final.

Henderson is only a slim chance of playing in the May 18 final after injuring ligaments in his knee during the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final against Borussia Dortmund. 

Milner has stepped in to replace the injured skipper since then, but the England international assured team-mate Henderson the trophy is all his if Liverpool defeat Sevilla in the decider.

"Hendo will lift it if we win it. Hendo will lift it even if he isn't in the squad," Milner said. 

"He's the captain of Liverpool and I have so much respect for him. There's no doubt in my mind that will happen."

However, Milner admits the responsibility of being captain is something he does not exactly enjoy. 

"Obviously since I've been here when Hendo's been out I have been given the armband. I captained Manchester City too and was fortunate to be England skipper this season as well," he added.

"I know what a great honour it is to be a captain here. It's a great honour to captain any team but a team the size of Liverpool, it's massive.

"I don't really enjoy it. Not really. Obviously you do the toss but apart from that you try not to change whether I am wearing the armband or not.

"To be honest, I don't like doing it because it means Hendo is injured and not playing and he's our captain and a top player."

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Henderson, not Milner, will lift Europa League trophy if Liverpool win

Stand-in Liverpool skipper James Milner said Jordan Henderson will lift the Europa League trophy if the Merseyside club beat Sevilla in the final.

Henderson is only a slim chance of playing in the May 18 final after injuring ligaments in his knee during the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final against Borussia Dortmund. 

Milner has stepped in to replace the injured skipper since then, but the England international assured team-mate Henderson the trophy is all his if Liverpool defeat Sevilla in the decider.

"Hendo will lift it if we win it. Hendo will lift it even if he isn't in the squad," Milner said. 

"He's the captain of Liverpool and I have so much respect for him. There's no doubt in my mind that will happen."

However, Milner admits the responsibility of being captain is something he does not exactly enjoy. 

"Obviously since I've been here when Hendo's been out I have been given the armband. I captained Manchester City too and was fortunate to be England skipper this season as well," he added.

"I know what a great honour it is to be a captain here. It's a great honour to captain any team but a team the size of Liverpool, it's massive.

"I don't really enjoy it. Not really. Obviously you do the toss but apart from that you try not to change whether I am wearing the armband or not.

"To be honest, I don't like doing it because it means Hendo is injured and not playing and he's our captain and a top player."

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