Sparta Prague vs Liverpool LIVE: Europa League result and reaction as Reds score five in last-16 first leg
Sparta Prague 1-5 Liverpool: The Red ran riot away from home and have one foot in the next round
Liverpool got their Europa League knockout rounds off to a fabulous start by hammering Sparta Prague 4-1 away from home in the first leg of their last-16 tie.
Despite a looming Premier League clash against Manchester City, Jurgen Klopp named strong starting line-up and was rewarded immediately as Alexis Mac Allister won and converted a penalty inside the first six minutes.
Sparta almost responded through Lukas Haraslin but Caoimhin Kelleher proved to be a strong deputy for Alisson Becker making the first of a series of solid saves throughout the night.
Darwin Nunez then curled home a beautifully long-ranged effort halfway through the first half before a guided finish on the stroke of half-time from the Uruguayan brought Liverpool a third.
The hosts did earn a deserved goal straight after the restart. Veljko Birmancevic nipped in behind on the right side and forced a back-tracking Conor Bradley to turn the ball into his own net.
Liverpool got the last word though as Luis Diaz’s deflected shot hit the back of the net and Dominik Szoboszlai scored late in stoppage time to ensure they bring a big cushion back to Anfield for the second leg next week.
Relive the action from the Europa League in the blog below and get the latest odds and tips here:
Sparta Prague 1-4 Liverpool
78 mins: Close!
Gakpo’s threaded pass is slightly too pacey for Salah who sprints into the right side of the box. He gets to the ball and pokes a shot at goal only for Peter Vindahl to charge down the effort.
Sparta Prague 1-4 Liverpool
75 mins: Luis Diaz heads off the pitch with Mo Salah introduced for the final 15 minutes. Jurgen Klopp is giving him a run out ahead of the Premier League clash against Manchester City at the weekend.
Sparta Prague 1-4 Liverpool
72 mins: Liverpool are starting to get control of the game now. Sparta Prague are shooting from range and any shots are being easily kept out by Caoimhin Kelleher.
Sparta Prague 1-4 Liverpool
69 mins: In Brighton’s match against Roma they are now 3-0 down and look to be heading towards a heavy defeat. Not the start to the knockout rounds that Roberto de Zerbi would have been hoping for.
Sparta Prague 1-4 Liverpool
66 mins: Bobby Clark is getting a run out for Liverpool with Alexis Mac Allister the man taken off. He’s had a strong night and got the ball rolling for the Reds by winning and converting the penalty.
Sparta Prague 1-4 Liverpool
63 mins: Elliott brings the ball forward and offloads a pass to Dominik Szoboszlai. He threads a pass into the box for Luis Diaz who can’t get the ball under control early enough to shoot.
He’s forced wide and Liverpool retreat out of the final third.
Sparta Prague 1-4 Liverpool
60 mins: An hour played and Liverpool have a dominant lead. Jurgen Klopp will be thinking about how to shore up the defence though the Reds could easily score more goals if they decide to up the tempo of play.
Sparta Prague 1-4 Liverpool
56 mins: The Sparta fans are still cheering and encouraging their team on. The game is quite open now and either team looks likely to score at any moment.
GOAL! Sparta Prague 1-4 Liverpool (Diaz, 53’)⚽️
53 mins: Nevermind. Why settle for two when you can lead by three?
Conor Bradley does will to link up with Harvey Elliott on the right side. Together they work the ball into the penalty area where it comes loose to Luis Diaz. He shoots and a deflection helps take the ball past the goalkeeper.
Sparta Prague 1-3 Liverpool
52 mins: Harvey Elliott has been pushed out wide on the right side with Alexis Mac Allister dropping deeper to play alongside Wataru Endo.
Klopp seems to want more control in the middle of the pitch. Liverpool need to settle the match down again. A two goal lead would be a huge margin to take back to Anfield.
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