But Liverpool had three penalty shouts for handball and a goal disallowed for offside while Sevilla’s crucial third saw a linesman’s flag overruled by referee Jonas Eriksson.
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There are plenty of arguments against such inconsistency – traditionalists among the footballing managerial universe such as Arsene Wenger espouse the importance of keeping squad harmony intact, noting that signings in excess of 3 in the summer usually have a disruptive effect on a club.
Klopp said: “Of course, this team will be a little bit different next year, that’s clear”.
He said: I’ve just received 500 WhatsApp messages from fans! “I had a few moments when I thought we could change but it’s not enough”. The Germany global of Turkish worldwide was reduced to tears after losing the final.
“There are bigger problems in life, but I must admit at the moment it doesn’t feel like this”.
Klopp admitted he was surprised at the way his players unexpectedly reverted to type and abandoned his teachings nearly as soon as they conceded the first goal against Sevilla.
But it wasn’t an influence on this – it was our game.
“We have had a lot of moments this season when we have played good football and known how to protect situations but if you saw at 1-1 we passed through small channels and lost the ball and you can not protect situations like this”, he said. It was not compact any more.
“Maybe also the crowd were shocked as well”, said Klopp as he explained his efforts to get the crowd fired up in the second half. “We’ve got [Joel] Matip coming in so I think the most important thing is the acquisitions that can be made before the start of the season”.
UEFA has opened disciplinary cases against Liverpool and Sevilla after fans fought in a poorly segregated section of the stadium before the Europa League final on Wednesday.
Emery’s achievement was even better after an unprecedented third successive win in the competition.
Sevilla, who face Barcelona in the final of the Copa del Rey this weekend, will now advance straight into the group stages of next season’s Champions League.
With no midweek football to worry about, Klopp can make longer-term plans for his team.
“I am very happy here at the club. We have to use this experience to be stronger, I’m sure we will be stronger if we use it well”.
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As Sevilla captain Coke held aloft the trophy at St Jakob-Park, Liverpool’s German coach had already disappeared down the tunnel, not waiting to applaud opponents who had dashed his hopes of ending his first season at Anfield with a trophy. “I don’t know what is going to happen”.
