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 1-3 Liverpool
51 mins: The centre-back is on his feet once more but Jurgen Klopp isn’t taking any chances. Virgil van Dijk is introduced as Konate walks off the pitch.
Klopp would not have wanted to use his captain this early in the second half.
Darwin Nunez is hooked off too with Dominik Szoboszlai brought on instead. Seems like Klopp will be making a formation change too.
Sparta Prague 1-3 Liverpool
49 mins: Ibrahima Konate has pulled up trying to stop Birmancevic from getting in behind. He goes down after Caoimhin Kelleher makes another good save and needs some treatment.
GOAL! Sparta Prague 1-3 Liverpool (Bradley OG, 46’)⚽️
46 mins: Yes they can!
The ball is flicked over the top down the right wing and Veljko Birmancevic gets into space. He darts to the box and squares the ball.
A back-tracking Conor Bradley, just introduced in place of Joe Gomez, sticks out a leg and smokes the ball into the back of his own net.
The hosts are back in this match.
Second half! Sparta Prague 0-3 Liverpool
Sparta Prague get the match back underway hoping to cut the three goal deficit. There were plentiful chances for them in the first half, can they take one in the second?
HT Sparta Prague 0-3 Liverpool
Darwin Nunez’s first goal was the 1,000th that Liverpool have scored across all competitions under Jurgen Klopp, with tonight being their 476th such game.
Half-time! Sparta Prague 0-3 Liverpool
45+4 mins: The whistle goes to end the first half. Liverpool have taken their chances, Sparta Prague haven’t taken theirs. That’s been the difference between the teams.
GOAL! Sparta Prague 0-3 Liverpool (Nunez, 45+3’)⚽️
45+3 mins: Nunez again!
Alexis Mac Allister flicks the ball over the top to Darwin Nunez who brings it under control the touches it towards the box. He belts a dipping shot at goal and beats Peter Vindahl to add a third on the night for Liverpool!
Sparta Prague 0-2 Liverpool
45 mins: Three minutes of added time to play.
Sparta Prague 0-2 Liverpool
43 mins: Asger Sorensen is forced off the pitch before the first half comes to an end and is replaced with Matej Rynes.
Save! Cody Gakpo gets into the box and receives the ball. Peter Vindahl keeps out the shot after slipping and falling to the ground. He recovers well to leap across to his left and denies the Reds a third goal.
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