Liverpool 1, Sevilla 3: First Thoughts

Liverpool 1: Sturridge 35'
Sevilla 1: Gameiro 46', Coke 64' 70'

• Pre-game Thoughts: Are you nervous yet? Excited? Liverpool go with a predictable starting XI, with Henderson and Origi making notable comebacks for tonight. That's about all I have right now. Can't think, and can barely type. 
  
  
• Oh sweet dear Fowler, here we go. 
  
  
• Two very early and soft fouls called early. This could get ugly if the ref feels like he needs to stop play with every slightest touch. 
  
  
• Liverpool are having difficulty keeping possession early on. The tension is palpable in the players and the crowd. 
  
  
• Suddenly it's end-to-end. A shot opens up for Can, who puts a well-hit strike on target, but it's palmed away, and then Sevilla storm the other direction.
  
  
• Nine minutes in and Sevilla already have their third free kick in Liverpool territory. 
  
  
• STURRIDGE!The striker came inches from putting Liverpool in front. Clyne cross found Sturridge at the back post, and his header from a tight angle beats the keeper but is cleared off the line by a Sevilla defender. Great effort to put it on target. 
  
  
• Penalty shout! Sevilla handled the ball with an outstretched arm in the box but the ref waves play on. Yikes.
  
  
• Rain is starting to fall in Basel. Twenty minutes on, and the only real chance so far was Sturridge's. The game has settled down, and both teams seem to be playing a bit conservative. 
  
  
• Another penalty shout! Milner has his legs taken out as he goes up for a header. If it's outside the box it's absolutely a foul. Also, Lallana managed to play in Sturridge, but again, the tight angle worked against the striker, and this time he couldn't beat the keeper with the low shot. 
  
  
• AGAIN with an uncalled handball in the box by Sevilla. I'm looking forward to the upcoming handball called against Liverpool. 
  
  
• Lovren earns the first yellow of the match, and it was certainly earned with a hard tackle.
  
• Gameiro almost puts Sevilla ahead, narrowly missing wide on a fantastic overhead kick.
  
  
• ***GOAL!*** Something out of the absolute top bin from Daniel Sturridge. Coutinho picks out the striker on the left side of the box, and Danny hits a wonder-strike with the outside of his left boot. The shot was simply unstoppable, curling it just past the outstretched arms of the keeper, and just inside the far post. 
  
  
• Lovren nearly makes it two off a corner, but Sturridge was involved in the play and in an offside position, and the goal was chalked off. 
  
  
• You've gotta be kidding me. Sevilla's defender just reached down with his hand and stopped a pass in the box. Play on lads. 
  
  
• Liverpool have been running riot since that goal. Clyne just whipped a dangerous ball across the 6-yard box with three red shirts waiting. No one could get a touch, and the score remains 1-0. 
  
  
• Halftime Thoughts: The first half an hour was quite cagey, but Liverpool were absolutely bossing Sevilla from the goal onward. Liverpool will feel disappointed that they didn't add to their advantage, especially with the multiple penalty shouts. Also, Liverpool have defended exceedingly well, with Sevilla's one shot coming on an overhead effort that failed to find the target. Also, also, Sturridge becomes the first English player to score in a Europa League final since Robbie Fowler in 2001. 
  
  
• "You'll Never Walk Alone" to start the second half. Come on you Reds, 45 minutes just like the last 45. 
  
  
• ***goal*** Jesus. Sevilla score from basically the opening kick. A simple cross into the box, and Gameiro equalizes on their first shot on target. 
  
  
• KOLO! The veteren defender finds legs that he didn't know he had to get back and block a 1v1 shot from Gameiro. Liverpool are on the ropes early in the second. 
  
  
• Mignolet comes up big! A long throw finds its way to Gameiro, and the Belgian keeper saves the ball up and over the crossbar for a corner. 
  
  
• ***goal*** Coke gives Sevilla the lead with a perfect curling effort from just outside the box into the bottom far corner. 2-1 to Sevilla and Liverpool need an answer in the next half an hour. 
  
  
• Origi lacing up. Welcome back to the big leagues, dude, I hope you still have some goals in you. The Belgian replaces Firmino, who, truth be told, hasn't had the best night. 
  
  
• ***goal*** Make it stop. A horrible deflection finds Coke in an offside position, who slots it and can't he can't even believe it when the flag isn't raised. 
  
  
• Allen on for Lallana. I can't even right now. This is the worst. 
  
  
• Final sub, Benteke on for Kolo. 3-4-3? 10-0-0?
  
  
• Five minutes to go, and the side that showed so much fight three goals down against Dortmund seems content to roll over accept defeat here. Extremely disappointing second half, shitty refereeing or not. 
  
  
• Full credit to Sevilla. They had a great second half, and three straight European trophies is a massive achievement. 
  
  
• Full Time Thoughts: What a heartbreaking second half. Both teams had four shots on target, Sevilla scored on three of theirs, and that's the difference. Plus, you know, the ability to use hands in the box. Liverpool have a long offseason to think this loss over. And the eighth place finish. And the other cup loss. ETW FTW. 
  

We'll be back shortly to take an in-depth look at everything that happened in today's game with the full recap. Until then, let us know your take on the ups and downs of the match in the comments, and if you haven't already, join the community on the Liverpool Offside, where we'll have full coverage and lively in-game discussion for every match this season.