Liverpool recorded an 11-2 aggregate win over Sparta Prague to book their place in the quarter-final
Heading into Thursday night, Liverpool had one of those “finish the job” matches after winning 5-1 at Sparta Prague the previous week.
With a heavily rotated side expected, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp named a strong team sheet with experience and quality. Mohamed Salah made his first Anfield start since Liverpool’s 4-2 win over Newcastle United at the start of January.
Liverpool’s 19-year-old midfielder Bobby Clark started in midfield alongside Dominik Szoboszlai and Wataru Endo.
It took Liverpool just seven minutes to break the deadlock as Darwin Nunez scored after Szoboszlai cut the ball back to the centre of the 18-yard box. Sparta Prague’s comeback from 5-1 down looked even more unlikely.
Less than a minute later, Clark scored his first goal for the Reds after he finished coolly from Salah’s pass. The burst of scoring wouldn’t end there, as Salah grabbed his goal of the night courtesy of the man he assisted.
Cody Gakpo made it four for the Reds inside the first 14 minutes to put Liverpool well out of sight. With the score at 4-0 to Liverpool (9-1 on aggregate), the Reds were cruising to the last eight of the Europa League.
Sparta Prague scored at the end of the first half through Veljko Birmancevic, who had impressed in the first leg in Czechia.
Klopp made three changes at half-time, bringing on Kostas Tsimikas, James McConnell and Harvey Elliott to keep legs fresh for Liverpool’s FA Cup quarter-final tie at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Szoboszlai, who already had an assist for Nunez’s goal in the first half, scored inside the first three minutes of the second half to make it 10-2 on aggregate for the Reds.
Gakpo nicked his second of the game after his touch from Elliott’s long-range strike proved pivotal in finding the back of the net.
Jarell Quansah was substituted off for Virgil van Dijk with 25 minutes left on the clock. Salah stayed on the pitch for the full 90.
Impressive young Polish winger Mateusz Musialowski made his senior debut as he was brought into the fray for Bobby Clark.
With an 11-2 aggregate victory, Liverpool have booked their place in the Europa League quarter-final with absolute ease. A clear gulf in quality, even admitted by the opposition manager at full-time.
Next up for Liverpool is a tough trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United in the quarter-final of the FA Cup with a place at Wembley at stake. Kick-off is at 3.30pm on Sunday, 17 March (St. Patrick’s Day!).
Liverpool team: Kelleher, Bradley, Gomez (Tsimikas 46), Quansah (Van Dijk 66), Robertson, Clark (Musialowski 73), Endo (McConnell 46), Szoboszlai, Salah, Nunez (Elliott 46), Gakpo.
Sparta Prague team: Vindahl, Vitik, Zeleny, Krejci, Preciado, Laci (Sadilek 58), Solbakken (Vydra 74), Kairinen, Rynes (Panak 46), Birmancevic (Tuki 66), Kuchta (Haraslin 58).
Read More Liverpool Coverage:
- Liverpool 1-1 Manchester City: Honours even in heated Anfield clash
- Sparta Prague 1-5 Liverpool: Reds put one foot into European quarter-final
- Nottingham Forest 0-1 Liverpool: Nunez scores last-gasp winner at City Ground
- Liverpool 3-0 Southampton: Murder on the Danns-floor!
- Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool (aet): ‘Klopp’s Kids’ triumph at Wembley