EUROPA LEAGUE: Top five talking points - Firmino and Milner thrive for Liverpool as Banega underpins Sevilla tilt

1) Firmino can eclipse Coutinho as Liverpool’s main man

Brazilians have been a mixed bag in the Premier League with the likes of Juninho, Willian and Gilberto Silva thriving while players such as Jo, Anderson and Paulinho fail to take flight.

Liverpool have been very savvy in recruiting two Brazilian players that could be the catalyst for a run of trophies at home and abroad, if Thursday night is anything to go by.

Philippe Coutinho has been a joy to watch in recent seasons after a relatively slow start at Anfield where he struggled to adapt to the helter-skelter nature of the English top flight.

He is, however, in danger of being overshadowed by their latest samba recruit Roberto Firmino. The former Hoffenheim forward was at the heart of most of Liverpool’s key moments in the semi-final victory.

The Brazilian international’s form has been so potent of late that he could well be the main man in Basel and going forward next season with Coutinho in a supporting role. Either way, they are both great fun to watch.

2) Banega is the vital cog that makes Sevilla tick

Kevin Gameiro will get the lion’s share of the headlines in the wake of Sevilla’s gutsy 3-1 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk that sees them contest their third Europa League final in a row.

He is a class act and I have spoken about him in previous columns. Sadly it takes the spotlight away from a player who coach Unai Emery has placed a large amount of trust in since he joined in August 2014.

Ever Banega has won 40 caps for Argentina and seems to have gone largely under the radar in this country at least despite a successful earlier stint at Valencia too.

He can sit deep in midfield, where he thrived at Boca Juniors initially, or further forward where he has shined for Valencia and Sevilla in Spanish and European competition.

Naturally a string of unsavoury or silly incidents has not helped his cause when it comes to getting more people on his side, nevertheless he makes Sevilla tick and he will be a key player in the final.

3) Milner is the rock on which success is built

James Milner divides football fans, we know that much. He is a throwback who does not seek the limelight, just respect for the graft he puts in game in game out.

Leeds, Newcastle, Villa and City fans all knew it and even though England fans might not hold him in the same high esteem, you do not earn 58 caps for the senior side being an average player.

He does the simple things well. He runs hard, he tackles hard and his end product is there for all to see this season especially in terms of crucial assists and the odd goal.

It is hard to believe that the former Elland Road youth product is only 30 years of age as he has packed so much into a trophy laden career, which could see another very soon indeed.

If Liverpool do triumph over Sevilla in Basel and skipper Milner lifts the trophy, he more than deserves to receive the widespread acclaim that somehow eluded him in his twenties.

4) Specialists Sevilla are something to savour

Two finals in a row would be considered something of a freak occurrence for any football team not well known for lifting trophies, but three in a row is something that must be applauded heartily.

To WIN the same competition three times in a row, though, is something special. Amazing, really.

If Sevilla defeat Liverpool and manage to pull off the feat, they must be talked about in the same breath as other European greats that have dominated in either this competition or the European Cup itself.

Coach Unai Emery does not get the plaudits other successful bosses in La Liga receive, for whatever reason, which is a shame because he has guided his team to the brink of a spectacular feat.

His playing career was not a particularly glittering one, yet he has evolved into a master tactician who used his time managing Valencia and Spartak Moscow to iron out the kinks in a formidable canon.

5) Klopp doubters will be few and far between now

Two finals in your first season, one potential European trophy in store and a pleasing uptick in Premier League form must surely suggest the Liverpool board got it right in appointing Jurgen Klopp.

The German struggled initially to get results and a playing style pleasing to the eye of Anfield fans - not helped by a succession of injuries - but once the majority returned he has had the side purring.

The phenomenal comeback at home to his previous club Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-finals laid the foundations for the stunning 3-0 victory over Villarreal in the semi-final return leg.

It helped to get the players to believe anything was possible, something they ran with and then some against a Spanish side, who lest we forget, are known primarily for a tight defence.

Klopp is definitely the right man for Liverpool now as they look to lift a trophy later this month that will ensure Champions League football is back on Merseyside next season.

Join me on 18th May for the final round of reflection.

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