With 4 targets inside 14 minutes, Jurgen Klopp and his employees might sit again and loosen up as Liverpool knocked Sparta Prague out of the Europa League 11-2 on mixture.
Liverpool 6-1 Sparta Prague
Europa League Final 16 Second leg, Anfield
March 14, 2024
Targets: Nunez 7′, Clark 8′, Salah 10′, Gakpo 14′, 55′, Szoboszlai 48′, Elliott 55′; Birmancevic 42′
Caoimhin Kelleher – 8 (out of 10)
The goalkeeper wasn’t at fault for the Sparta objective and hardly had something to do all night time however declare a few crosses, which he did very effectively.
It’s price noting his glorious distribution, punting completely upfield for Mo Salah who, for as soon as, couldn’t convey the ball down into his path.
A case of staying heat for Caoimhin Kelleher on this drizzly night time in L4.
Conor Bradley – 7
It was a match wherein Conor Bradley was comparatively untroubled in defence and spent most of his time coming inside to assist because the inverted right-back.
His calmness and high quality on the ball is an actual asset when enjoying that place, and he set the tone early on with some fast vertical passes into the forwards.
One other efficiency wherein he was a continuing choice on the fitting for the Reds.
Jarell Quansah – 8
After going through Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Kevin de Bruyne on Sunday, this is able to have been akin to a stroll in Stanley Park for Jarell Quansah.
As traditional, he was glorious on the ball and noticed off hazard when wanted. Like Gomez, there was a query over Sparta’s objective, however a really minor observe on one other nice night time for the younger defender.
Joe Gomez – 7
Given this was the primary time Joe Gomez had began at centre-back since September, the England worldwide put in an excellent exhibiting.
He was maybe caught out for the Sparta objective however, with the sport meaningless, it was straightforward to have a lapse of focus – one other stable 45 minutes for England worldwide.
Andy Robertson – 8
Andy Robertson may have felt barely misplaced when he was requested to play the second half as a centre-back.
He handled the duty effortlessly, although, permitting Kostas Tsimikas a run out after the break. Having been on the bench in opposition to Man City, you’ll anticipate him to start out in opposition to Man United on Sunday.
He hasn’t been within the highlight this season, however the crowd nonetheless made certain his title was sung within the second half.
Wataru Endo – 7
The Japan captain was caught on the mistaken facet of Veljko Birmancevic for Sparta’s objective, however he might argue he shouldn’t have been the furthest man again within the first place.
It was one other assured efficiency from Wataru Endo, who confirmed his potential to select a go in a superb second when he slid the ball behind the opposition backline with an eye-of-the-needle go for Mo Salah.
Dominik Szoboszlai (Man of the Match) – 8
Always wanting forwards and making runs to stretch play, Dominik Szoboszlai was in all places and an enormous think about driving Liverpool on to these early targets.
He will get my man of the match tonight as he was so dominant out and in of possession. Take that into Sunday, Dom!
Bobby Clark – 8
He can be upset to have come off injured, however his first-half efficiency confirmed what a superb footballer he could possibly be.
Bobby Clark confirmed tenacity for his objective however there was one other second that arguably stood out extra – this was when he feinted brilliantly within the field earlier than unleashing a strong strike that troubled the goalkeeper.
There’s some severe potential on this teen.
Mohamed Salah – 8
It was like he was by no means away.
Whereas his contact possibly wasn’t fairly as immaculate as we’re used to – it’s a really excessive bar – Salah was scientific and efficient in his build-up play.
Klopp would have most well-liked him to not play 90 minutes, however appears to have come away unscathed.
Darwin Nunez – 7
The Uruguayan was scientific to complete with a first-time, side-footed effort within the seventh minute, and was all the time on the shoulder. One other spotlight was his unbelievable pass for Salah halfway by the half.
He’ll look again, although, and surprise how he missed when Salah passes him the ball within the six-yard field, just for the striker to in some way raise the ball over the bar – it was in all probability harder to overlook than rating!
Nonetheless, one other 45 minutes and one other objective can’t be seen as a foul night for Nunez.
Cody Gakpo – 8
With a number of underwhelming performances of late, this might have be the sport that acquired Cody Gakpo again into type.
His two targets have been effectively taken and he constantly made harmful runs into the field from the left, when the ball was about to be crossed.
Maybe we shouldn’t be stunned he appeared extra at house within the place he turned recognized for at PSV.
Substitutes
Kostas Tsimikas (on for Gomez, 46′) – 7 – He would have been upset to not begin, however Kostas Tsimikas did an expert job with the Reds already effectively forward on the night time.
Harvey Elliott (on for Nunez, 46′) – 8 – Harvey Elliott, as traditional, offered power and concepts as he injected threatened across the Sparta penalty field and was unfortunate to not rating.
James McConnell (on for Endo, 46′) – 8 – His long-range capturing apart, James McConnell solely added to his repute. The most important praise you may pay is that you simply didn’t discover Endo’s absence.
Virgil van Dijk (on for Quansah, 66′) – 8 – The Sparta forwards will need to have breathed a deep sigh when he got here on. The Dutchman performed on the fitting of defence for a change, as Robertson stayed at left centre-back.
Mateusz Musialowski (on for Clark, 73′) – 7 – Together with his last change of the night time, Klopp elected to present Mateusz Musialowski a debut.
He burst onto the scene three and a half years in the past within the academy and has turn out to be recognized for his low centre of gravity when dribbling, a few of which he confirmed throughout his quarter-hour on the pitch.
Subs not used: Adrian, Mrozek, Mac Allister, McConnell, Diaz, Gordon, Koumas, Danns
Jurgen Klopp – 9
The boss misplaced his cool when Quansah was proven a yellow card moments earlier than Van Dijk got here on. Comprehensible given it ought to by no means have been a reserving and he had wished to convey him off earlier than the incident.
You would need to say Klopp ought to get full marks tonight, as his staff gained comfortably whereas concurrently rotating gamers in the course of the amtch.
