LIVERPOOL 6-1 SPARTA PRAGUE : Liverpool surged into the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals, dominating Sparta Prague with a 6-1 victory at Anfield.
Advertisements
The match was quickly decided in Liverpool’s favor, thanks to an explosive start that saw them leading by four goals within the first 14 minutes due to Sparta’s disorganized defense and Liverpool’s sharpshooting.
Mohamed Salah etched his name into Liverpool’s history by becoming the first player to hit the 20-goal mark in seven consecutive seasons.
Alongside Salah, the scoring sheet featured Darwin Nunez, a debut goal for Bobby Clark, two from Cody Gakpo, and a goal from Dominik Szoboszlai.
Sparta Prague managed a consolation goal through Veljko Birmancevic before halftime. However, Liverpool maintained control, rounding off the victory with Gakpo’s second goal and advancing with an 11-2 aggregate win.
Liverpool’s focus now shifts to the upcoming quarter-final and semi-final draw, broadcast live on TNT Sports, and their next FA Cup game against Manchester United on Sunday.
Discussion Point: Unstoppable Liverpool Marches On in Every Competition
Liverpool’s overwhelming performance in Prague had already sealed the fate of this tie before it even reached Anfield, turning Sparta Prague’s anticipated dream match into a harsh reality.
The Liverpool attack dismantled the visitors effortlessly, capitalizing on Sparta’s hazardous defensive tactics.
The team from Merseyside stands as the strong favorite to clinch this tournament, and their latest display only reinforces their intimidating form.
Their next challenge is a significant FA Cup match against Manchester United, with players returning from injuries adding more zest to Jurgen Klopp’s squad.
Read More:
Match Highlight: Cody Gakpo (Liverpool)
While he might garner less spotlight than Salah or Nunez, Cody Gakpo’s consistent contributions have been vital. His two goals in this match bring his season’s total to 13.
Despite missing out on a hat-trick, the significance of his performance lies in the timing, demonstrating that Liverpool’s forwards are peaking as the season climaxes.
Player Ratings:
Liverpool: Kelleher 7, Bradley 7, Gomez 7, Quansah 7, Robertson 7, Endo 7, Szoboszlai 8, Clark 8, Salah 8, Nunez 7, Gakpo 8*. Substitutes: McConnell 7, Elliott 8, Tsimikas 6, Van Dijk 6, Musialowski 6.
Sparta Prague: Vindahl 7, Preciado 5, Solbakken 5, Kairinen 5, Kuchta 5, Birmancevic 6, Laci 5, Zeleny 5, Rynes 5, Krejci 5, Vitik 5. Substitutes: Panak 6, Haraslin 6, Sadilek 6, Tuci 5, Vydra 5.
MATCH SUMMARY
07′ – GOAL! Liverpool takes the lead 1-0 against Sparta Prague: Darwin Nunez slots home from close range, finishing off Szoboszlai’s precise pass from the right, putting Liverpool ahead 6-1 on aggregate.
08′ – GOAL! Liverpool extends their lead to 2-0: Miscommunication from Sparta’s defense allows Salah to intercept and set up Bobby Clark, who finds the back of the net, increasing Liverpool’s aggregate lead to 7-1.
10′ – GOAL! Liverpool scores again, 3-0: Mohamed Salah capitalizes on another defensive error from the Czech team, shooting powerfully into the goal. The aggregate score moves to 8-1.
14′ – GOAL! Liverpool makes it 4-0: The Reds exploit Sparta Prague’s defensive vulnerabilities again, leading to Gakpo scoring from a Salah assist. Liverpool is now 9-1 up on aggregate.
42′ – GOAL! Sparta Prague finds a goal, 4-1: Veljko Birmancevic manages to get one past Liverpool following a pass from Preciado, making the aggregate score 9-2 in Liverpool’s favor.
48′ – GOAL! Liverpool scores, leading 5-1: Dominik Szoboszlai’s shot deflects and beats the goalkeeper at the near post, bringing the aggregate to 10-2.
55′ – GOAL! Liverpool extends the lead to 6-1: A long-range shot turns into a goal for Gakpo after a deft touch, pushing the aggregate score to 11-2.