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This was a crushing defeat that cut deep. The night when Liverpool's European dream turned into a living nightmare.

A miraculous run reached a wretched conclusion as Jurgen Klopp's side capitulated at the hands of Sevilla in the Europa League final.

So much for that catalyst to launch the Reds' bright era. Instead they came up short on the big stage yet again as weaknesses were ruthlessly exposed.

As the ticker tape fell and the gifted La Liga outfit celebrated an historic third successive triumph, Klopp and his devastated players turned on their heels and headed for the sanctity of the dressing room.

Their season had just been summed up in the space of 90 crazy minutes – brilliant in patches, pathetic in others.

From a position of total control after Daniel Sturridge's classy opener, the Reds imploded.

Kevin Gameiro restored parity early in the second half and Coke's double ensured that Sevilla deservedly walked away with the spoils.

There will be no European football for Liverpool next season. It was either all or nothing, and they ended up with the latter after failing to grasp the golden ticket into the group stage of the Champions League.

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They will be consumed by regrets.

Klopp had talked about his side writing a story to tell the grandkids about but nobody in red will ever recall this final with any degree of pride. They will be consumed by regrets.

The class of 2015/16 won't go down as the legends who ended the club's 11-year wait for a European trophy.

Instead they will be remembered as a team which tossed away two golden opportunities to clinch silverware having also come up short in February's Capital One Cup final.

Pity the 25,000 Kopites who transformed Basel's St Jakob-Park into a sea of red.

They have been treated to a joyride in the Europa League this season as Liverpool claimed the scalps of Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund and Villarreal in thrilling fashion. But the conclusion was pure car crash.

The squad Brendan Rodgers put together never did win anything and now Klopp will embark on his own rebuilding job.

For some this will be the end of the road. Out of those involved here, Kolo Toure, Joe Allen and Christian Benteke are likely to form part of the summer exodus as the manager seeks reinforcements.

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One of the worst final performances from a Liverpool player in living memory.

And surely a left-back will be high on Klopp's shopping list after Alberto Moreno delivered one of the worst final performances from a Liverpool player in living memory.

Moreno was a glaring weak link against his former club as his lack of defensive discipline cost the Reds dear.

One defeat – no matter how damaging - doesn't undo the progress Klopp has overseen over the past seven months with someone else's players. He's a class act and Liverpool were lucky to secure his services.

Solid foundations have been laid but here was proof that plenty of fresh talent is required to ensure they kick on next term.

'It's about the glory,' read one of the hundreds of banners that adorned a sun-kissed Barfusserplatz in Basel earlier in the day.

The atmosphere inside St Jakob-Park was electric – a home from home with the travelling Kop present in such numbers – and after a ropey start Liverpool dominated the first half.

The opening stages were frenetic with the Reds having to overcome an early bout of nerves. Klopp gestured wildly, trying to make himself heard above the din, as he called for some composure.

Belatedly, Liverpool settled with Emre Can's 25-yarder pushed away by David Soria.

Adam Lallana epitomised the hunger as he thundered into a tackle on Sergio Escudero and then left Daniel Carrico on his backside.

The Reds moved the ball at pace and Sevilla looked rattled.

Nathaniel Clyne provided Liverpool's best attacking outlet as he burst down the right flank at every opportunity. It was from his searching cross that Sturridge nodded past Soria, only for Carrico to hack off the line.

Sevilla continued to ride their luck with Eriksson turning a blind eye when Carrico handled inside the box.

James Milner provided the graft and gave Klopp's men a platform to turn the screw. Lallana's cute pass released Sturridge but the angle was tight and Soria was off his line smartly to make the block.

Ten minutes before the break Liverpool deservedly led.

Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho combined to find Sturridge lurking on the edge of the box. Sevilla backed off and the striker punished them, expertly planting it into the corner with the outside of his left boot.

It was a stunning finish and St Jakob-Park erupted. Briefly, Liverpool threatened to blow Sevilla away.

Lovren soared highest to nod Milner's corner goalwards and Sturridge made sure it found the net but the celebrations were curtailed by the offside flag.

Sturridge then went close to converting Clyne's drilled cross with Sevilla relieved to avoid further damage.

Whatever was said in the dressing room at half-time was ignored. Liverpool switched off and surrendered their lead 17 seconds into the second half.

Moreno's poor defensive header was pounced on by Mariano Ferreira, who skipped past the left-back and crossed for Kevin Gameiro to turn home his 29th goal of the season.

It was all far too easy and the sloppy Reds were carved open again soon after. Gameiro raced clear but just as he was about to pull the trigger, Toure made a crucial last-ditch challenge.

Vulnerable at the back and with no presence in midfield, Liverpool were on the ropes and there was another let-off when Simon Mignolet kept out Gameiro's volley.

Their luck ran out in the the 63rd minute. Vitolo exchanged passes with the outstanding Ever Banega and Coke arrived to hammer past Mignolet.

Klopp turned to Divock Origi, who came on for Firmino, but Liverpool were a spent force.

They looked like the team beaten at Watford, Swansea and Newcastle.

They had dug themselves out of some serious holes en route to Basel but this time they had no response. They looked like the team beaten at Watford, Swansea and Newcastle.

Their fate was sealed in shambolic fashion. Clyne slid in to intercept a cross and inadvertently cannoned the ball against Coutinho and into the path of Coke. Mignolet got a hand to the shot but couldn't keep it out.

The assistant's flag went up immediately but to the Reds' disgust he then put it down and referee Jonas Eriksson awarded the goal. Angry protests followed but there was no injustice here.

Liverpool only had themselves to blame. Rather than take the final step, they stumbled yet again.

Man of the match

Kolo Toure. One of the few who could hold his head high.