Escudero en la final de la UEL ante el Liverpool
Previous reports

SEVILLA LOOKING FOR WIN IN ILLUSTRIOUS CRADLE OF FOOTBALL

13/09/2017
The Nervionenses - Europa League Final winners against Liverpool in 2016 - have experienced highs and lows against English opponents in the last 16 months

Liverpool FC vs Sevilla FC is the perfect chance to make a mark at Anfield. In a competition synonymous with footballing prestige, Sevilla have the opportunity to prove their strength and ambition in one of football's most legendary settings and kick-start their third consecutive Champions League campaign in style.

A win on English soil would help with the sour taste left from Sevilla's loss in Leicester six months ago

Things did not go so well for the Nervionenses when they last crossed over to English soil on a Champions League night. Sixth months ago - to the surprise of many - the side lost 2-0 in Leicester, which stung especially hard as it denied progress to the fabled Quarter-Finals of the top continental competition. Before that blow, Sevilla had lost 3-0 against Arsenal and then 2-1 against Navas' Man City - a loss which left a bad taste in the mouth, after going 1-0 up through Konoplyanka, an own-goal from Rami and a last-stitch winner from De Bruyne, which denied Emery's side any points in England.

Goal difference on the island is poor: 4 goals for and 10 against. In the Champions League stats are worse: 1 scored and 7 conceded

In the attractive and prestigious Liverpool vs Sevilla fixture, two important objectives are brought together this Wednesday on a legendary footballing stage. To win for the first time in the cradle of football, putting to bed the memories of the Leicester City loss and repeating the 3-1 Europa League Final victory in Basel (goals from Gameiro and two from Coke). Other aims will be to keep improving our play, and above all else, keeping defensively solid. Goal difference on the island is poor: 4 goals for and 10 against (including the Europa League). In the Champions League it's worse: 1 scored and 7 conceded. This is the perfect fixture to grow and re-establish ourselves. 

Only Soria, Carriço, Escudero, N'Zonzi and Banega remain from the win in Basel - Rico and Pareja were on the bench. Several of them could pop up once again in the starting eleven of Eduardo Berizzo, who debuts in the Champions League, unlike Klopp who boasts 37 matches in the competition. The Reds have also made changes since that night in Basel, they return to the Champions League Group Phases for the second time in the last eight seasons. 

Sevilla have managed five wins and two draws in their last nine Champions League fixtures, always performing at their best in big matches

It's the first fixture between the Sevillistas and the Reds in Europe's most important competition. In their past matches against Spanish sides, Liverpool have only won at Anfield in one out of eight Champions League matches, with three draws and four losses. However, they have been stronger in European ties recently, having not lost at home since October 2014 against Madrid (0-3). In their path to the Group Phases they beat Hoffenheim 6-3 - a win which shows the danger they pose in attack but also their defensive frailties. 

Sevilla have managed five wins and two draws in their last nine Champions League fixtures, always performing at their best in big matches. In this exciting start to the Champions League, the Nervionenses have the chance to make history, and even record a legendary victory. If Sevilla FC can bring their character and quality to the cradle of football, match day at Anfield will be one to remember.