LIVERPOOL PLAYER RATINGS: Mo Salah bags a hat-trick of assists on a record-breaking night, with Cody Gakpo at the double and a first senior goal for starlet Bobby Clark…as the ruthless Reds cruise into the Europa League quarter-finals

  • Liverpool surprised the fans on Thursday with four goals in the first thirteen minutes
  • Jurgen Klopp’s Reds scored six against Sparta Prague to reach the quarter-finals
  • The damage has already been done. Even winning against Liverpool cannot save Ten Hag It’s all a kick-off podcast

Liverpool reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League at Anfield on Thursday by beating Sparta Prague 6-1.

After last week’s emphatic 5-1 win in the Czech Republic, many expected Jurgen Klopp to select a much weakened side on Merseyside. But the German opted for a more ruthless approach.

And he was rewarded when he raced into a 4-0 lead inside 15 minutes, thanks to goals from Darwin Nunez, Bobby Clark, Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo.

The visitors gave their fans something to cheer about before half-time, with only Dominik Szoboszlai and Gakpo contributing to the huge numbers.

Mail Sport’s TUM BALOGUN looks at which players performed best for the Reds on a brilliant night in Europe.

Liverpool put Sparta Prague to the sword in a brutal 6-1 win at Anfield on Thursday

Jurgen Klopp's side reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League after their biggest win of the season

Jurgen Klopp’s side reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League after their biggest win of the season

CAOIMHN KELLEHER-6.5

Less a statement of his work, more an indication of his easy evening in goal. Progressed well in possession, could do little about the visitor’s goal.

CONOR BRADLEY -7

Another solid performance. I got a lot of ball contacts. Performed his defensive duties well.

JARELL QUANSAH-7

The usual imperious display from yet another talented youngster. Bad luck picking up a booking before you leave.

JOE GOMEZ-7

Had more to do offensively than at the back. He put in another good performance, this time on the occasion of his return to the England team.

ANDY ROBERTSON-7

He captained the side before Virgil van Dijk came on and was solid throughout. Even got a point behind the centre-back after a reshuffle in the second half.

Dominik Szoboszlai continued the scoring for the Reds after the break with their fifth goal of the evening

Dominik Szoboszlai continued the scoring for the Reds after the break with their fifth goal of the evening

Liverpool youngster Bobby Clark's eighth-minute strike on Thursday evening was his first senior goal

Liverpool youngster Bobby Clark’s eighth-minute strike on Thursday evening was his first senior goal

Mohamed Salah continued his recovery from injury and played 90 minutes, scoring one and assisting three

Mohamed Salah continued his recovery from injury and played 90 minutes, scoring one and assisting three

DOMINIK SZOBOSZLAI-8

Constant attacking threat comes from deep on the right. Links up well with Mohamed Salah and provides a goal and a smart assist for the opener.

WATARU ENDO-6.5

Unable to get back in front of the Sparta goal, but otherwise was his talented self.

BOBBY CLARK – 8.5

Fueled by his first goal in the eighth minute, he was fantastic, popping up all over the midfielder and combining play. Was a sharp part of the home side’s devastating press.

MOHAMED SALAH- 9.5

Had a wonderful evening scoring and taking care of it, as he has done throughout the campaign. Played the full 90 and picked up a goal in addition to a hat-trick of assists.

DARWIN NUNEZ-7

Vintage Nunez evening for the Uruguayan. Scored the opener before missing an absolute sitter before going out on the break.

CODY GAKPO-9

Ended the night frustrated despite packing a brace. Took both goals well but wasted opportunities to increase his score. Went looking for the match ball late, but still performed well.

Cody Gakpo bagged a brace to take his Europa League tally to four this season

Cody Gakpo bagged a brace to take his Europa League tally to four this season

MANAGER: JURGEN KLOPP-7

The decision to play with the big guns paid off and they managed to get through the night without further injuries.

SUBS

Kostas Tsimikas (for Gomez, 46) – 7

James McConnell (for Endo, 46) – 6.5

Harvey Elliot (for Nunez, 46) – 8

Virgil van Dijk (for Quansah, 66) – 7

Mateusz Musialowski (for Clark, 73) – 6.5