PLAYER RATINGS: Darwin Nunez nets two of his best goals for Liverpool, while Caoimhin Kelleher continues to deputise well for Alisson… but who made an impression from the bench for all the wrong reasons in 5-1 win?
Liverpool firmly established themselves in the quarter-finals of the Europa League on Thursday evening by beating Sparta Prague 5-1.
Goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Darwin Nunez put the visitors 2-0 ahead inside 25 minutes, and although their Czech hosts occasionally troubled Caoimhin Kelleher’s net, the Reds looked set to put their to take a two-goal lead into halftime.
But Nunez wasn’t quite done yet. He hit a thunderous half-volley from the edge of the penalty area to make it three with the 1,001st goal of the Jurgen Klopp era as the Reds raced to a dominant position in the tie.
There would be no hat-trick as the Uruguayan was subbed off after 51 minutes, and the Reds battled their way through a tricky start to the second half, but Luis Diaz struck back quickly after Conor Bradley’s own goal, before Dominik Szoboszlai struck late . make it 5-1.
Here, Mail Sport takes you through who had a night to remember for the Reds, and who failed to catch Klopp’s attention ahead of Sunday’s clash with Man City.
Strikes from Alexis Mac Allister and Darwin Nunez left the Reds 3-0 at half-time
Jürgen Klopp’s side put one foot in the quarter-finals with a 5-1 victory over Sparta Prague
LIVERPOOL (4-3-3)
Caoimhin Kelleher – 7
Was part of a certain goal-saving duo with one of his defenders in the first 15 minutes of the match when he started the game, as he continued to come on for Alisson; alert and ready.
Joe Gomes – 6
After the stopper kept out the first shot, Gomez was acrobatic with his ball off the line to maintain the visitors’ one-goal lead. But after the break, which will cause concern ahead of Sunday’s titanic match against Man City.
Ibrahima Konate – 6
He was immediately taken off after Conor Bradley’s own goal, but for fitness reasons rather than performance issues. The defender was relatively solid at the heart of the defense in an open first half, with his athleticism coming in handy for the visitors.
Jarell Quansah – 6
After his seventh start alongside Konate at center back came to an end, he earned an 11th appearance while sharing defensive duties with Virgil van Dijk. Handled Victor Olatunji’s threat well after the attacker’s late introduction.
Andy Robertson – 6
The Scot picked up the armband in the first half on his Europa League debut, in the absence of regular captain Van Dijk from the start, and spent part of the first half leading the visitors to victory in a tough environment, fulfilling all the duties required of were required of him. Left behind.
Caoimhin Kelleher stayed bright when called upon early in the game and made some strong stops
Harvey Elliott -6.5
A quietly unspectacular but solid performance from Elliott in the Czech capital. Assisted Luis Diaz on the second-half goal after correctly reading a deflection.
Wataru Endo – 7
He calmly went about his business at the base of Liverpool’s midfield, ensuring things progressed at the pace Klopp needed in a tough away match.
Alexis MacAllister -7.5
Kept his composure and composure when it mattered to convert from the spot after a long delay. Was in charge of the midfield in the first half before being substituted in evidence of his growing importance to this Reds side ahead of Sunday.
Darwin Nunez – 8
The Uruguayan forward marked his 50th start for Liverpool in style with a stunning moment of individual brilliance for the second goal.
That was the Red Devils’ thousandth goal under Klopp, and he quickly added the thousandth with a fantastic half-volley on the stroke of half-time. He was denied a hat-trick by a 50th-minute substitution in one of his best Liverpool games.
Mac Allister converted well from the spot within six minutes after a long delay
Nunez had one of the best games of his Liverpool career with two stunners on his 50th start
Cody Gakpo – 6
Had saved a snapshot of the corner for the break, as the Dutchman looked sharp at the front.
Luis Diaz -7.5
Restored the three-goal lead at a point where the game could quickly go the other way for Liverpool, although he was lucky with the deflection for his third goal in five league games.
Jurgen Klopp – 7
Shuffled his pack well enough to avoid further fitness issues, but questions were raised by substitutions for Gomez and Konate. Whatever he said at half-time may not have had the desired impact, but Van Dijk was quick to calm the storm.
subtitles:
Conor Bradley for Joe Gomez (45′) – 5
The young defender has been a revelation for Liverpool since his emergence earlier this season, and he made an almost equally exceptional impression in this match with a fantastic finish with his first touch – only it was into the roof of his own goal.
Virgil van Dijk for Ibrahima Konate (50′) – 6
Brought his trademark composure to the backline after the host’s goal concession and ensured his teammates regained their composure throughout the match at an important intersection.
Conor Bradley managed to put his stamp on the match within seconds, but on the wrong side of the pitch
Dominik Szoboszlai for Darwin Nunez (51′) – 7
Introduced for his zeal and energy in the middle of the park as the hosts threatened to take control, he managed to calm Sparta Prague’s resistance to good effect before adding the Reds’ fifth of the night in added time.
Bobby Clark for Alexis Mac Allister (64′) – 6.5
Muhammad Salah for Luis Diaz (74′) – 6
Subs unused: Adrian, Tsimikas, Gordon, McConnell, Koumas, Musialowski, Mrozek