Adam Lallana has insisted that Liverpool have been rewarded for showing respect to the Europa League.
In recent years, managers have tended to use the competition as an opportunity to give fringe players some minutes on the pitch.
However, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has fielded his strongest team on most occasions and thanks to tonight's 3-0 win over Villarreal at Anfield, the Reds will contest the final with Sevilla later this month.
"The lads deserved to be in the final and hopefully we can win it," Lallana told BT Sport.
"You have to show this competition respect and I feel we have done that."
Lallana was on target in the victory over the Spanish side, while Daniel Sturridge weighed in with the other two goals.
