In Prague, Liverpool delivered a near-perfect performance, nearly securing their spot in the quarter-finals of the Europa League. They delivered a decisive and efficient defeat to Sparta Prague, performing under the leadership of Jürgen Klopp who is vying for a quadruple title.
Darwin Núñez proved he was in top form with two outstanding goals, hitting the milestone of Klopp’s 1000th goal for Liverpool. Additionally, Mohamed Salah made a successful return after a two-week hiatus, coming on as a substitute late in the game.
Despite this triumphant night, there was one unfortunate event as Ibrahima Konaté sustained an injury, subsequently being taken off the pitch. However, unlike Pep Guardiola who was able to rest seven players before Copenhagen’s match, Klopp played a stronger and experienced squad than recent Liverpool teams.
Liverpool got off to a promising start just five minutes into the match when Sparta goalkeeper Peter Vindahl’s risky pass caused center-half Asger Sørensen to falter. Alexis Mac Allister seized upon this opportunity, stripping the ball from Sørensen’s feet before being knocked over by the defender’s reckless tackle inside the box. Referee José María Sánchez Martínez issued a clear-cut penalty which was then successful, despite Mohamed Salah, Liverpool’s usual penalty-taker, being on the bench.
Sparta’s risky strategy of playing from the back gave Núñez an early chance at goal. Despite this risky approach allowing Liverpool to maintain a relentless attack, the game itself was still engaging and intense. If not for the superb goalkeeping skills of Caoimhin Kelleher and some disappointing finishes by Sparta, the Czech champions could have remained a threat. Following an impressive save by Kelleher assisted by a clearance from Joe Gomez, Núñez confidently placed Liverpool ahead to secure the victory.
During the second half of the game, Konaté, who was injured, managed to interrupt two shots from Ángelo Preciado with his posterior. A subsequent corner allowed Martin Vitik to turn Preciado’s header, compelling Kelleher into another superb save to keep his team ahead.
The superior finesse in scoring set the victor apart, a fact illustrated by the milestone 1000th goal of Klopp’s Liverpool leadership, netted by Núñez in impressive style. In an unexpected turn, Núñez received a pass from Harvey Elliott from the left and took everyone by surprise, expertly bending a shot from outside the Sparta penalty box into the top left corner of Vindahl’s net. Núñez’s celebration in front of the home supporters led them to fling plastic cups at him.
Sparta’s offensive strategy and their sorrowful execution at the goal remained consistent. Kelleher managed to deflect Jan Kuchta’s low shot with his legs, causing the rebound to fall right into the path of Veljko Birmancevic, who found himself uncovered at the back post. Yet, Birmancevic somehow kicked the ball from his right leg to his left, missing an unguarded net. The footage of this error triggered astonishment among the Sparta supporters and heightened Birmancevic’s mortification.
Núñez offered a masterclass in goal hitting a second time, culminating a captivating first half. The forward, who assisted Mac Allister with the decisive goal at Nottingham Forest the previous Saturday, was in the right place again, receiving a long pass from midfield. The striker let the ball bounce once before driving an impressive shot beyond Vindahl and into the far corner. Núñez’s pointed celebration at the corner flag invited a shower of additional plastic cups and a bottle.
Despite Sparta’s attempts, they failed to register a score even when they thought they had one. Shortly after the game resumed, Birmancevic attacked down the right flank, releasing a threatening low cross in front of Liverpool’s six-yard box. Liverpool’s Conor Bradley, who had replaced Gomez at the interval, unfortunately dispatched the cross into the top corner of his own net. Luis Díaz, however, reinstated Liverpool’s three-goal advantage with a deflected strike following another assist from Elliott. Later, he took a breather as he was substituted by Salah. This move allowed Liverpool’s highest goal scorer to gain some game time as he recovers from a recent hamstring issue.
With just a quick 10-minute stint, Salah managed to aim a low shot into the bottom corner, but the score was disqualified following an offside decision after a VAR review. By that time, the Reds had already shifted their attention to their upcoming Sunday fixture. Nonetheless, a fifth goal was still added to their count as substitute Dominik Szoboszlai deftly evaded the Sparta defenders and nailed a low shot past Vindahl in the concluding moments. – Guardian
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