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
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
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
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
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