Liverpool will enter Sunday’s significant Premier League match against Manchester City with a momentum of seven consecutive victories, following their commanding performance in the Europa League last-16 encounter against Sparta Prague.
In the opening leg, Liverpool demonstrated their formidable prowess, striking three goals before halftime to quiet the home crowd on a tumultuous evening in Prague, Czech Republic’s capital.
They seized the lead via Alexis Mac Allister’s penalty in the sixth minute, awarded after the Argentine World Cup winner was fouled by Asger Sorensen.
Darwin Nunez then showcased his skill with a splendid dipping shot from beyond the penalty area, marking Liverpool’s 1,000th goal under manager Jurgen Klopp. Shortly after, the Uruguayan forward netted his 16th goal of the season for the club, blasting a fierce shot from the edge of the box to make it 3-0 just before halftime.
Despite their comfortable lead, Liverpool owed a debt of gratitude to Caoimhin Kelleher, who once again proved his worth to the team in the absence of the injured first-choice goalkeeper, Alisson. Kelleher made several crucial saves, including one at 1-0 where he deflected Lukas Haraslin’s shot, causing the ball to veer towards the net before Joe Gomez cleared it off the line.
Sparta Prague managed to narrow the deficit when Liverpool’s substitute Conor Bradley inadvertently scored an own goal with his first touch in the 46th minute, but Luis Diaz swiftly reinstated his side’s three-goal advantage with a deflected finish seven minutes later.
Finally, substitute Dominik Szoboszlai sealed the victory with virtually the last kick of the game, netting the fifth goal.
In the opening leg, Liverpool demonstrated their formidable prowess, striking three goals before halftime to quiet the home crowd on a tumultuous evening in Prague, Czech Republic’s capital.
They seized the lead via Alexis Mac Allister’s penalty in the sixth minute, awarded after the Argentine World Cup winner was fouled by Asger Sorensen.
Darwin Nunez then showcased his skill with a splendid dipping shot from beyond the penalty area, marking Liverpool’s 1,000th goal under manager Jurgen Klopp. Shortly after, the Uruguayan forward netted his 16th goal of the season for the club, blasting a fierce shot from the edge of the box to make it 3-0 just before halftime.
Despite their comfortable lead, Liverpool owed a debt of gratitude to Caoimhin Kelleher, who once again proved his worth to the team in the absence of the injured first-choice goalkeeper, Alisson. Kelleher made several crucial saves, including one at 1-0 where he deflected Lukas Haraslin’s shot, causing the ball to veer towards the net before Joe Gomez cleared it off the line.
Sparta Prague managed to narrow the deficit when Liverpool’s substitute Conor Bradley inadvertently scored an own goal with his first touch in the 46th minute, but Luis Diaz swiftly reinstated his side’s three-goal advantage with a deflected finish seven minutes later.
Finally, substitute Dominik Szoboszlai sealed the victory with virtually the last kick of the game, netting the fifth goal.
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In terms of the outcome, this couldn’t have gone any better for Liverpool’s manager, Klopp.
The return of Salah to the field was a reassuring sight. He found the net shortly after coming on, with a beautifully curled finish, but it was disallowed for a narrow offside.
However, Konate’s early departure due to injury was concerning, and Gomez being substituted at halftime for Bradley adds to the worry.
It remains uncertain whether Klopp was merely exercising caution with both players ahead of an important upcoming domestic match.
Liverpool has relied on their young talents due to injury woes, but with the club’s injury problems seemingly easing, there wasn’t a teenager in the starting lineup.
In a lively match, the visitors capitalized on five of their 11 shots on target.
Kelleher made six crucial saves at the opposite end, while Veljko Birmancevic squandered a straightforward opportunity when Sparta was trailing by two goals.