(Sparta Praha-Liverpool 1–5) Liverpool is, so to speak, in the quarter-finals of the Europa League after a great victory in the Czech Republic on Thursday evening.
Thursday 7 March at 21:24
The short version
- Liverpool are so to speak in the quarter-finals of the Europa League after a 5-1 win against Sparta Prague in the Czech Republic on Thursday night
- Ståle Solbakken observed his son Markus’ team against Liverpool from the stands
- Two goals from Darwin Núñez, a penalty from Alexis MacAllister, a toe-kick from Luis Diaz and an extra-time goal signed by substitute Dominik Szoboszlai sealed the triumph for Liverpool
- The injured Mohamed Salah also received match training before the big game against Manchester City on Sunday
Sea view
Ståle Solbakken (56) sat in the stands. He got to see his son Markus (23)’s team occasionally join in the field game against the national team manager’s favorite club from England. In front of goal, however, the difference in quality was enormous.
Two nets by hot Darwin Núñez (24), a penalty goal by Alexis Mac Allister (25), a toe shot from Luis Diaz (27) and an overtime goal signed by substitute Dominik Szoboszlai (23) arranged a sparkling start against Sparta Prague ahead of the return match at Anfield.
A quarter of an hour before the end, injury-plagued Mohamed Salah (31) also entered the field and received valuable match training before Sunday’s big game against Manchester City in the Premier League.
Núñez in particular appeared in top form. After an early penalty from Mac Allister, the Uruguayan dragged himself into the box and bent the ball at the farthest angle from around 20 metres.
Liverpool’s number 9 then added to the score with an exquisite volley from an angle. “Bang,” it said as the ball left Nunez’s right foot and a second later was stuck in the opposite corner.
– Is he at his very best? Not yet. He can always improve, but he is always a threat, says Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp about Núñez after the match.
He was also asked if there were any Sparta players who impressed him enough to be brought to Liverpool.
– I give up until the summer. Did you think I was going to take someone with me on vacation? countered the German with a grin.
With a 3-0 lead at the break, much of the work was done. Comet Conor Bradley (20) entered the field. Joe Gomez (26) got a rest.
Bradley has made a big impression earlier this season, but in the Czech Republic it quickly went wrong. Just 39 seconds after being substituted, the right-back put the ball into his own net.
The reduction gave new energy to the Sparta team, where Markus Solbakken figured centrally in midfield.
After 53 minutes of play, however, it was Liverpool who again proved to be the best in front of goal. Harvey Elliott (20) found Diaz in the box and the Colombian thanked for the pass with an effective touch past Danish Peter Jensen (26) in the Sparta cage. In overtime, Szoboszlai scored the away team’s fifth.
The 5-1 victory makes the starting point almost perfect before next Thursday’s return match.
PS: A minus for the visitors was an injury to the French stopper Ibrahima Konaté (24), who had to be replaced by Virgil van Dijk (32) at the start of the 2nd half. From before, Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Thiago, Stefan Bajcetic, Diogo Jota and Curtis Jones are out with injuries.