- Liverpool surprised the fans with four goals in the first 13 minutes on Thursday.
- Jurgen Klopp’s Reds scored six goals against Sparta Prague to reach the quarterfinals
- The damage is already done. Not even beating Liverpool can save Ten Hag. Everything is starting podcast
Liverpool advanced to the Europa League quarter-finals after beating Sparta Prague 6-1 at Anfield on Thursday.
Following last week’s emphatic 5-1 win in the Czech Republic, many expected Jurgen Klopp to select a much-weakened team on Merseyside. But the German opted for a more ruthless approach.
And he was rewarded when his team took a 4-0 lead in 15 minutes, thanks to goals from Darwin Núñez, Bobby Clark, Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo.
The visitors gave their fans something to cheer about before the break, but Dominik Szoboszlai and Gakpo added to the huge tally.
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 ruthless 6-1 victory at Anfield on Thursday.
Jurgen Klopp’s team advanced to the Europa League quarter-finals after their biggest win of the season.
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CAOIMHN KELLEHER – 6.5
It’s not so much a statement of his work as an indication of his easy night in goal. He advanced the ball well in possession, he could do little in front of the visiting goal.
CONOR BRADLEY – 7
Another solid performance. I had many touches of the ball. He fulfilled his defensive functions well.
JARELL QUANSAH – 7
The usual imperious display from another talented young man. Bad luck picking up a reservation before leaving.
JOE GÓMEZ – 7
He had more to do offensively than behind. He put in another good performance, this time to mark his return to the England team.
ANDY ROBERTSON – 7
He captained the team before Virgil van Dijk came on and looked solid throughout. He was even left without a central defender after a reshuffle in the second half.
Dominik Szoboszlai continued scoring for the Reds after the break with his fifth goal of the night.
Liverpool youngster Bobby Clark’s 8th-minute goal on Thursday night was his first senior goal
Mohamed Salah continued to recover from his injury and played 90 minutes, scoring a goal and providing three assists.
DOMINIK SZOBOSZLAI – 8
Constant attacking threat from deep on the right. He linked up brilliantly with Mohamed Salah and got a goal and a smart assist for the first goal.
WATARU ENDO – 6.5
He couldn’t return for Sparta’s goal, but otherwise he was accomplished.
BOBBY CLARK – 8.5
Buoyed by his first goal for the senior team in the 8th minute, he was magnificent, appearing all over the midfield and linking the play together. He was an enthusiastic component of the home team’s devastating press.
MOHAMED SALAH – 9.5
He had a great afternoon scoring and contributing, as he has done throughout the campaign. He played the full 90 minutes and scored a goal along with a hat-trick of assists.
DARWIN NÚÑEZ – 7
Vintage Núñez Night for the Uruguayan. He scored the first goal before missing an outright goal before withdrawing at half-time.
CODY GAKPO – 9
He ended the night frustrated despite scoring a double. He took advantage of both goals well, but wasted opportunities to increase his score. He later went for the ball, but still did well.
Cody Gakpo scored a brace to take his Europa League tally to four this season
COACH: JURGEN KLOPP – 7
The decision to play with the big boys was rewarded and he made it through the night without further injuries.
SUBS
Kostas Tsimikas (by Gómez, 46) – 7
James McConnell (by Endo, 46) – 6.5
Harvey Elliot (by Núñez, 46) – 8
Virgil van Dijk (by Quansah, 66) – 7
Mateusz Musialowski (by Clark, 73) – 6.5
