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Liverpool vs Sevilla: Steve McManaman criticises 'awful' Alberto Moreno and blames 'lethargic' second-half for defeat

McManaman believes Liverpool ran out of gas in the second half, in which they conceded an equaliser just 17 seconds after kick-off

Jack de Menezes

Thursday 19 May 2016 07:48 BST

Alberto Moreno came in for the most criticism after Liverpool's 3-1 Europa League final defeat to Sevilla (Getty)

Former Liverpool midfielder Steve McManaman blamed the lethargic second-half display for the side’s 3-1 Europa League final defeat and labelled left-back Alberto Moreno “awful” for his performance, with the defender at fault for Sevilla’s equaliser which came 17 seconds after play had resumed following half-time.

Liverpool took the advantage through a sublime finish from England striker Daniel Sturridge and dominated the first half, but three unanswered goals from Kevin Gameiro and a Coke double ensured Sevilla lifted the Europa League trophy for a third consecutive year.

BT Sport’s McManaman attempted to pick out the pieces from Liverpool’s terrible second-half performance, and he put the loss – which robs the Reds of any European football next season – down to tiredness as Jurgen Klopp’s side ran out of gas.

“17 seconds in and just a real lack of judgement, incredibly sloppy play by Alberto Moreno – who had an awful second half – and the game literally just switched,” McManaman said after the match.

“Liverpool looked lethargic in the second half unfortunately, they ran out of legs, they looked tired, and people like Vitolo [Machin Perez], [Ever] Benega [and] Gameiro really shone in the second half.

“But congratulations, they’ve won it three times and that is incredibly difficult to do as we well know and as history will tell you, so congratulations to them.”

The loss means Liverpool will not play in Europe next season, having finished the Premier League in eighth and seeing the Champions League berth reserved for the Europa League winners got to Sevilla, who have become the first ever club to win either the Uefa Cup or Europa League three times consecutively.

Klopp believes that his side “lost faith” in their performance, and took the blame for the heart-breaking loss himself.

Liverpool player ratings vs Sevilla

Show all 14

1/14Liverpool player ratings vs Sevilla

Liverpool player ratings vs Sevilla

Simon Mignolet: 5 out of 10

Was a virtual spectator in first half except when catching a couple of crosses, but things got much busier in the second. He could do nothing for the first goal while the second was hit with such pace and curl by Coke that Mignolet could hardly react let alone save it. The Belgian stopper might have wanted to do better on the third but was completely exposed.

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Liverpool player ratings vs Sevilla

Nathaniel Clyne: 7 out of 10

Caused problems with his pace and delivery - at least in the first period. Was booked in the dying moments through poor frustration at what was a tougher second half. Liverpool's best player.

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Liverpool player ratings vs Sevilla

Dejan Lovren: 5 out of 10

Unfortunate not to have been on the scoresheet after heading into the net from a corner in the first half only to see it ruled out because Sturridge was offside. Made some useful tackles.

2016 Getty Images

Liverpool player ratings vs Sevilla

Kolo Toure: 6 out of 10

Superb defending to deny Gameiro a goal just as it looked as though the Sevilla striker was about to score his second of the night. The moment saw him show a flash of pace that everyone thought had deserted him. Sacrificed for Christian Benteke after 83 minutes.

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Liverpool player ratings vs Sevilla

Alberto Moreno: 2 out of 10

At fault for Sevilla's opening goal and his losses of possession caused his team problems. Was regularly out of position which contributed to Liverpool's failure to deal with an inspired Sevilla side in the second period. Despite wanting to get forward he had little impact on that front.

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Liverpool player ratings vs Sevilla

James Milner: 5 out of 10

Tried hard in the centre of the park but lack of quality occasionally let him down. Kept chasing lost causes right to the end.

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Liverpool player ratings vs Sevilla

Emre Can: 5 out of 10

Set out his stall with a heavy challenge early on and was combative throughout the final. But in the second period Sevilla were just too good and he lost control of the midfield battle.

2016 Liverpool FC

Liverpool player ratings vs Sevilla

Adam Lallana: 5 out of 10

Busy in midfield, instilling some energy in the team. But his final touch continues to be a weakness, highlighted in the first half with an unconvincing attempt at goal. He was taken off for Joe Allen on 73 minutes after failing to have any influence on the second half.

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Liverpool player ratings vs Sevilla

Roberto Firmino: 4 out of 10

Good control early on in the match should have led to Liverpool winning a penalty with a Sevilla defender handling the ball and taking down the Brazilian. The referee wasn't interested though. Aside from that he had little impact and he came off for Divock Origi after 69 minutes.

2016 Liverpool FC

Liverpool player ratings vs Sevilla

Philippe Coutinho: 5 out of 10

Got the assist for Sturridge's goal but in truth Liverpool's only goal was all about the finish rather than the final pass. Will be frustrated not to have had more influence on the match where it mattered, with just the one shot which fizzed over the bar from range. Was also inadvertently involved in Sevilla's third goal when Clyne cleared it only for the ball to ping off Coutinho's foot and into the path of Koke who then buried the ball in to the back of the net.

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Liverpool player ratings vs Sevilla

Daniel Sturridge: 6 out of 10

Came close to scoring early on but his header lacked pace and allowed Sevilla to clear off the line. The Euro 2016 bound England striker made up for it soon after with a sublime opening goal struck with the outside of his left foot. Like every other Liverpool player, he had a far less convincing second half.

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Liverpool player ratings vs Sevilla

OFF THE BENCH - Joe Allen: 4 out of 10

Offered fresh legs but little quality with too many of the few passes he attempted coming to nothing.

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Liverpool player ratings vs Sevilla

OFF THE BENCH - Divock Origi: 4 out of 10

Did almost nothing except elbow a Sevilla player in the face.

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Liverpool player ratings vs Sevilla

OFF THE BENCH - Christian Benteke: 3 out of 10

Gave away a foul but that was about it during his 10 minutes on the pitch.

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"Obviously the first goal had a big influence on our game," said the Liverpool manager.

I tried to change it but you could see that maybe the team was shocked

 <p>Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool manager</p>

"At this moment we lost faith in our style of play, we changed from passing quick and simple to complicated and lost our formation. It was not compact any more.

"I tried to change it but you could see that maybe the team was shocked, maybe the crowd was shocked.

"It is not good to concede a goal straight after half-time but you have 44 minutes to strike back but the reaction was the problem, we have to learn to react better in situations like this.

"We are disappointed and frustrated 100 per cent but tomorrow (Thursday) or later in the week we will see it a little bit more clearly and we will use this experience, that is what we have to do."

Watch the UEFA Champions League Final exclusively live on Saturday 28th May on BT Sport Europe, BT Sport Showcase and live on YouTube via youtube.com/btsport

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