Adam Lallana says Liverpool need to use their Europa League run as a springboard for further success under Jurgen Klopp.
Overcoming Villarreal in last night’s semi-final booked the Reds’ first European final in over nine years, where they will take on Sevilla in Basel.
It will be the second showpiece that Liverpool have reached since Klopp replaced Brendan Rodgers last October, having lost to Manchester City in February’s Capital One Cup final.
And Lallana, whose late strike safeguarded progress to face reigning holders Sevilla, believes that Klopp’s prioritising of the competition can lead to bigger things for Liverpool beyond the forthcoming May 18 clash.
He said: “This is our second final this year but we know we need to bring the cup home. We’ve experienced losing in a final and it is not nice.
“I think the experience of that day will help us, even in such a short turnaround to this final.
“It is a young squad but I feel we need to win something to feel what it is like to win and almost make it like a bug, just keep going. As soon as this manager came in, we knew we were taking it seriously.
“We’ve got our rewards for going away on Thursday nights, putting in good performances and coming back and having a game on Sunday. It’s an exciting end to the season.”
Lallana has been one of several players that has gone on to excel under Klopp’s tutelage this season and the England international believes the secret to Liverpool’s success lies in the collective belief in the German’s mentality.
“I just think he realises my qualities. They might not always stand out, I might not always be man of the match every week, but I think he just appreciates what I bring to the team,” he added.
“Whether you see that or not, he’s the only man whose opinions matters. I am grateful that he appreciates me and I feel that I give my best every week for the team.
“I just want the team to achieve things and do well. It doesn’t matter what team is selected, whether it is attacking or defensive.
“For me, I think as long as you’ve got the same mentality, the same game plan, you all stick to it and you’re on the same wave length, then it doesn’t matter if you’re playing 4-4-2 or 4-3-3.
“The system is irrelevant as long as you’re all fighting for each other and are willing to press and willing to feel a bit of pain for each other, then you can put on performances like that.
“You can sense it when the opposition is rattled and they don’t like it. It is a great feeling.”