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

Klopp gives update on Jota's future as Liverpool’s injury crisis worsens

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 vs Liverpool Live

• Clinical Darwin Nunez leads the way as Liverpool dominate Sparta Prague
• Sparta Prague hammered by Liverpool 5-1 in Europa League last-16 first leg
• 90+4’ GOAL! - Szoboszlai puts the icing on the cake (SPP 1-5 LIV)
• 85’ NO GOAL! - Salah’s goal is ruled out for offside (SPP 1-4)
• 53’ GOAL! - Diaz restores Liverpool’s three goal lead (SPP 1-4 LIV)
• 46’ GOAL! - Bradley nets an own goal with his first touch (SPP 1-3 LIV)
• 45+3’ GOAL! - Nunez adds a third with a fine strike (SPP 0-3 LIV)
• 25’ GOAL! - Nunez curls in a long-ranged effort (SPP 0-2 LIV)
• 15’ SAVE! - Kelleher denies Haraslin (SPP 0-1 LIV)
• 6’ GOAL! - Mac Allister scores from the penalty spot (SPP 0-1 LIV)

[6 March 2024 16:41 · Sonia Twigg]

Sparta Praha vs Liverpool

Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of Liverpool’s Europa League clash against Sparta Praha.

Jurgen Klopp’s side travel to the Czech Republic as start to recover from an injury crisis that saw them lift the Carabao Cup trophy with a team including numerous youngsters.