PLAYER RATINGS: Darwin Nunez nets two of his greatest targets for Liverpool, whereas Caoimhin Kelleher continues to deputise nicely for Alisson… however who made an impression from the bench for all of the mistaken causes in 5-1 win? TERMAN WEBSITE

Liverpool put one foot firmly into the quarter-finals of the Europa League with a 5-1 win over Sparta Prague on Thursday night time.  

Targets from Alexis Mac Allister and Darwin Nunez had the guests 2-0 up inside 25 minutes, and though their Czech hosts troubled Caoimhin Kelleher’s web now and again the Reds regarded set to took their two-goal lead into the break. 

However Nunez was not fairly finished, lashing house a thunderous half-volley from the sting of the field to make it three with the 1,001st purpose of the Jurgen Klopp period because the Reds raced right into a commanding place within the tie. 

There was to be no hat-trick with the Uruguayan subbed off on 51 minutes, and the Reds steered their approach by means of a difficult begin to the second half, however Luis Diaz struck again quickly after Conor Bradley’s personal purpose, earlier than Dominik Szoboszlai struck late to make it 5-1.

Right here, Mail Sport takes you thru who had had a night to recollect for the Reds, and who failed to really catch Klopp’s eye forward of Sunday’s conflict with Man Metropolis.  

LIVERPOOL (4-3-3) 

Caoimhin Kelleher – 7

Fashioned one a part of a sure goal-saving duo with one among his defenders within the first quarter-hour of the sport as he started the sport as he has continued to fill in for Alisson; alert and poised. 

Joe Gomez – 6

After the stopper saved the preliminary shot out, Gomez was acrobatic along with his clearance off the road to maintain the guests’ one-goal lead. Off on the break, although, which can elevate issues forward of Sunday’s titanic conflict with Man Metropolis.

Ibrahima Konate – 6

Subbed off instantly after Conor Bradley’s personal purpose however for health causes moderately than efficiency issues. The defender was comparatively stable on the coronary heart of defence in an open first half, his athleticism proving helpful for the guests. 

Jarell Quansah – 6

After his seventh begin alongside Konate at centre again got here to an finish he earned an eleventh look sharing defensive duties with Virgil van Dijk. Dealt nicely with the specter of Victor Olatunji after the ahead’s late introduction.

Andy Robertson – 6

The Scot took the armband within the first half on his Europa League debut within the absence of standard skipper Van Dijk from the beginning and partly-led the guests to victory in a difficult surroundings for the primary half whereas fulfilling all of the duties required of him at left again. 

Harvey Elliott – 6.5

A quietly unspectacular but stable efficiency from Elliott within the Czech capital. Assisted Luis Diaz’s second half purpose after studying a deflection nicely.  

Wataru Endo – 7

Quietly went about his enterprise on the base of the Liverpool midfield, guaranteeing issues ticked over on the fee Klopp required on a difficult away journey.  

Alexis Mac Allister – 7.5

Saved his cool and composure when it mattered to transform from the spot after a prolonged delay. Bossed the midfield within the first half, earlier than being substituted as testomony to his rising significance on this Reds aspect forward of Sunday.

Darwin Nunez – 8

The Uruguayan ahead marked his Fiftieth begin for Liverpool in fashion with an exquisite second of particular person brilliance for the second purpose. 

That was the Pink’s a thousandth purpose below Klopp, and he was fast so as to add the 1,001st with a improbable half-volley on the stroke of half-time. He was denied a hat-trick by a Fiftieth-minute substitution into one among his greatest Liverpool video games.

Cody Gakpo – 6

Had a snapshot on the flip nicely saved earlier than the break because the Dutchman regarded sharp up entrance.

Luis Diaz – 7.5

Restored the three-goal lead at a degree the place the sport may rapidly go the opposite approach for Liverpool, although he acquired lucky with the deflection for his third purpose in 5 video games within the competitors. 

Jurgen Klopp – 7

Shuffled his pack nicely sufficient to stop any additional health issues, however questions had been raised by substitutions for Gomez and Konate. No matter he mentioned at half-time maybe did not have the specified influence, however rapidly launched Van Dijk to quell the storm.  

Subs:

Conor Bradley for Joe Gomez (45′) – 5

The Younger defender had been a revelation at Liverpool since his emergence earlier this season, and he made virtually as distinctive impression on this sport with a improbable end along with his first contact – solely it was into the roof of his personal web. 

Virgil van Dijk for Ibrahima Konate (50′) – 6

Introduced his trademark calm to the backline after the concession of the hosts’ purpose and ensured that his team-mates reclaimed their composure with the sport at an vital junction.  

Dominik Szoboszlai for Darwin Nunez (51′) – 7

Launched for his industriousness and power in the course of the park because the hosts threatened to take management, and managed to quieten the Sparta Prague resistance to good impact earlier than including the Reds’ fifth of the night time in added time.

Bobby Clark for Alexis Mac Allister (64′) – 6.5

Mohamed Salah for Luis Diaz (74′) – 6

Subs unused: Adrian, Tsimikas, Gordon, McConnell, Koumas, Musialowski, Mrozek 

SPARTA PRAGUE (4-3-3) 

Peter Vindahl – 5

Asger Sorensen – 5 (Matej Rynes 43min, 6) 

Martin Vitik – 5

Ladislav Krejci 5

Angelo Preciado 7

Markus Solbakken 6.5

Kaan Kairinen 6 (Adam Karabec 74, 6)

Jaroslav Zeleny 6

Veljko Birmancevic 7 (Indrit Tuci 74, 6)

Jan Kuchta 6 (Victor Olatunji 74, 6)

Lukas Haraslin 6.5 (Qazim Lacin 6)