Liverpool defeated Sparta Prague 5-1 on Thursday night to take a significant step towards the Europa League quarterfinals.
After 25 minutes, the visitors led 2-0 thanks to goals from Darwin Nunez and Alexis Mac Allister. Although their Czech opponents occasionally caused problems for Caoimhin Kelleher, the Reds appeared certain to maintain their two-goal advantage at the half.
Nunez, though, wasn’t quite finished as the Reds surged into a dominating lead in the match.
He scored the 1,001st goal of the Jurgen Klopp era with a tremendous half-volley from the edge of the box to make it three.The Uruguayan was substituted off after 51 minutes, meaning that there would be no hat-trick. The Reds navigated a difficult opening to the second half, but Luis Diaz equalised shortly after Conor Bradley’s own goal, and Dominik Szoboszlai added a late goal to make the score 5-1.
This is where Mail Sport shows you who made an impression on Klopp ahead of Sunday’s match against Man City and who did not have a genuinely memorable evening for the Reds.
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Strikes from Alexis Mac Allister and Darwin Nunez had put the Reds 3-0 up by the halfway mark
Jurgen Klopp’s side put one foot in the quarter-finals with a 5-1 win over Sparta Prague
LIVERPOOL (4-3-3)
Caoimhin Kelleher – 7
Formed one part of a certain goal-saving duo with one of his defenders in the first 15 minutes of the game as he began the game as he has continued to fill in for Alisson; alert and poised.
Joe Gomez – 6
After the stopper kept the initial shot out, Gomez was acrobatic with his clearance off the line to keep the visitors’ one-goal lead. Off at the break, though, which will raise concerns ahead of Sunday’s titanic clash with Man City.
Ibrahima Konate – 6
Subbed off immediately after Conor Bradley’s own goal but for fitness reasons rather than performance problems. The defender was relatively solid at the heart of defence in an open first half, his athleticism proving useful for the visitors.
Jarell Quansah – 6
After his seventh start alongside Konate at centre back came to an end he earned an 11th appearance sharing defensive duties with Virgil van Dijk. Dealt well with the threat of Victor Olatunji after the forward’s late introduction.
Andy Robertson – 6
The Scot took the armband in the first half on his Europa League debut in the absence of regular skipper Van Dijk from the start and partly-led the visitors to victory in a tricky environment for the first half while fulfilling all the duties required of him at left back.
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Caoimhin Kelleher remained bright when called upon early in the game and made a number of strong stops
Harvey Elliott – 6.5
A quietly unspectacular yet solid performance from Elliott in the Czech capital. Assisted Luis Diaz’s second half goal after reading a deflection well.
Wataru Endo – 7
Quietly went about his business at the base of the Liverpool midfield, ensuring things ticked over at the rate Klopp required on a tricky away trip.
Alexis Mac Allister – 7.5
Kept his cool and composure when it mattered to convert from the spot after a lengthy delay. Bossed the midfield in the first half, before being substituted as testament to his growing importance on this Reds side ahead of Sunday.
Darwin Nunez – 8
The Uruguayan forward marked his 50th start for Liverpool in style with a wonderful moment of individual brilliance for the second goal.
That was the Red’s 1000th goal under Klopp, and he was quick to add the 1,001st with a fantastic half-volley on the stroke of half-time. He was denied a hat-trick by a 50th-minute substitution into one of his best Liverpool games.
Mac Allister converted well from the spot inside just six minutes after a lengthy delay
Nunez had one of the best games in his Liverpool career with two stunners on his 50th start
Cody Gakpo – 6
Had a snapshot on the turn well saved before the break as the Dutchman looked sharp up front.
Luis Diaz – 7.5
Restored the three-goal lead at a point where the game could quickly go the other way for Liverpool, though he got fortunate with the deflection for his third goal in five games in the competition.
Jurgen Klopp – 7
Shuffled his pack well enough to prevent any further fitness problems, but questions were raised by substitutions for Gomez and Konate. Whatever he said at half-time perhaps didn’t have the desired impact, but quickly introduced Van Dijk to quell the storm.
Subs:
Conor Bradley for Joe Gomez (45′) – 5
The Young defender had been a revelation at Liverpool since his emergence earlier this season, and he made almost as exceptional impression on this game with a fantastic finish with his first touch – only it was into the roof of his own net.
Conor Bradley managed to make his mark on the game within seconds of coming on but at the wrong end of the pitch
Virgil van Dijk for Ibrahima Konate (50′) – 6
Brought his trademark calm to the backline after the concession of the hosts’ goal and ensured that his team-mates reclaimed their composure with the game at an important junction.
Dominik Szoboszlai for Darwin Nunez (51′) – 7
Introduced for his industriousness and energy in the middle of the park as the hosts threatened to take control, and managed to quieten the Sparta Prague resistance to good effect before adding the Reds’ fifth of the night in added time.
Bobby Clark for Alexis Mac Allister (64′) – 6.5
Mohamed Salah for Luis Diaz (74′) – 6
Subs unused: Adrian, Tsimikas, Gordon, McConnell, Koumas, Musialowski, Mrozek
Dominik Szoboszlai came off the bench to good effect before scoring the fifth goal in added time
SPARTA PRAGUE (4-3-3)
Peter Vindahl – 5
Asger Sorensen – 5 (Matej Rynes 43, 6)
Martin Vitik – 5
Ladislav Krejci – 5
Angelo Preciado – 7
Markus Solbakken – 6.5
Kaan Kairinen – 6 (Adam Karabec 74 – 6)
Angelo Preciado (pictured) was one of the two standout performers for the hosts on Thursday
Veljko Birmancevic was bright in attack for Sparta PRague before being hooked in the 74th minute
Jaroslav Zeleny – 6
Veljko Birmancevic – 7 (Indrit Tuci 74 – 6)
Jan Kuchta – 6 (Victor Olatunji 74 -6)
Lukas Haraslin – 6.5 (Qazim Lacin – 6)