Sparta Prague vs Liverpool - LIVE!

Liverpool effectively booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Europa League with a 5-1 first-leg hammering of Sparta Prague. The job was near enough done by half-time in Prague, as Alexis Mac Allister opened the scoring inside six minutes from the penalty spot, and Darwin Nunez then fired in a superb brace before the break.

Sparta did have chances of their own in the first-half, opportunities they could not take, but they had a goal back within a minute of the restart, as Conor Bradley, on at the break, turned the ball into his own net with his first touch. Ibrahima Konate was then forced off with injury, as Liverpool’s night threatened to really derail, but Luis Diaz’s deflected strike got things back on track and restored the three-goal advantage.

Mohamed Salah made his return from injury off the bench with 15 minutes remaining, and thought he had a goal to mark the occasion, after he was played in by Dominik Szoboszlai. However, despite replays suggesting he was onside, VAR chalked it off after a review. Liverpool did get their fifth though, with the final kick of the match. Szoboszlai was allowed to drift into the box, and his strike was good enough to beat Peter Vindahl, who endured a miserable night in goal for Sparta.

Sparta Prague vs Liverpool latest news

• GOAL! Diaz restores three-goal lead

• GOAL! Bradley turns ball into own net

• GOAL! First-half brace for Nunez

• GOAL! Nunez doubles lead from distance

• GOAL! Mac Allister converts early penalty

FT: Sparta Prague 1-5 Liverpool

19:39 , Matt Verri

And that’s the final whistle.

Liverpool with a brilliant night in Prague, they are effectively through to the quarter-finals of the Europa League already.

Far too good.

GOAL! Sparta Prague 1-5 Liverpool | Dominik Szoboszlai 90+4'

19:38 , Matt Verri

Liverpool just keeping the ball now - not sure Sparta have had a touch in stoppage-time.

And they have a fifth!

Szoboszlai into the box, onto his right foot and beats the goalkeeper. This will count.

Sparta Prague 1-4 Liverpool

19:34 , Matt Verri

90 mins: Four minutes added on.

Both sides would be happy enough for the whistle to go now.

Sparta Prague 1-4 Liverpool

19:32 , Matt Verri

88 mins: Sparta having a decent spell towards the end of this match, after that disallowed goal.

Three goals here and they might have a chance...

NO GOAL!

19:30 , Matt Verri

It’s ruled out by VAR for offside.

Not sure about that, replay made it look like he was about a yard onside!

GOAL! Sparta Prague 1-5 Liverpool | Mohamed Salah 84'

19:28 , Matt Verri

He gets his goal!

Szoboszlai on the edge of the box, has space for the shot but instead slides a pass through to Salah.

He takes a touch and then guides a finish into the far corner.

Sparta Prague 1-4 Liverpool

19:26 , Matt Verri

82 mins: Szoboszlai flops over in his own area, gets the decision.

Boos around the stadium from the home fans, who have continued to make plenty of noise despite the scoreline.

Sparta Prague 1-4 Liverpool

19:23 , Matt Verri

79 mins: Szoboszlai and Salah both keen to make an impact, which is not ideal news for Sparta.

Ball falls for Szoboszlai on the edge of the area, twists into space and fires a shot straight at the goalkeeper.

Sparta Prague 1-4 Liverpool

19:20 , Matt Verri

76 mins: Salah very nearly in!

Van Dijk pings the ball out to him, first touch is sensational from Salah but he trips over the ball with his second.

Nobody would have caught him.

Sparta Prague 1-4 Liverpool

19:18 , Matt Verri

74 mins: Zeleny drags down Diaz, just as Liverpool had a real chance to break. Doesn’t bother to complain about the yellow card.

Great news for Sparta - Salah is coming on! He’ll get 15 minutes, replacing Diaz.

Sparta Prague 1-4 Liverpool

19:15 , Matt Verri

71 mins: Feels like Sparta are going to get themselves into trouble every time they play out from the back.

They’re still doing it though... just about successfully.

Sparta Prague 1-4 Liverpool

19:11 , Matt Verri

67 mins: Sparta corner, they continue to push.

Van Dijk there at the near post to clear though. He’s brought something resembling a bit of calm to the Liverpool defence.

Sparta Prague 1-4 Liverpool

19:09 , Matt Verri

65 mins: A fourth Liverpool change of the night.

Mac Allister will get 25 minutes or so of rest, with Clark on to replace him.

Sparta Prague 1-4 Liverpool

19:07 , Matt Verri

62 mins: Krejci gives away a needless free-kick, earns himself a pointless yellow card for dissent to go with it.

Gakpo is in on goal, pokes a finish straight at Vindahl.

Sparta Prague 1-4 Liverpool

19:03 , Matt Verri

58 mins: Both sides continue to look really shaky at the back. Without wanting to jinx anything, you’d imagine we’ll get more goals.

Liverpool trying to calm things down, slowing the pace in midfield.

Sparta Prague 1-4 Liverpool

19:00 , Matt Verri

55 mins: This has been a crazy match.

Preciado tries his luck from near enough the halfway line, Kelleher rushes back and tips it over the bar!

Corner swung to the back post, again Liverpool don’t deal with it well but it’s just about scrambled away.

GOAL! Sparta Prague 1-4 Liverpool | Luis Diaz 53'

18:57 , Matt Verri

Normal service resumed!

Silence in Prague all of a sudden. Bradley plays the ball inside, Elliott pokes it on to Diaz and his deflected strike flies into the back of the net.

Sparta Prague 1-3 Liverpool

18:55 , Matt Verri

51 mins: Klopp makes another substitution, Nunez off just a few minutes into the half. Interesting.

Szoboszlai is on - Liverpool must be confident about his fitness.

Sparta Prague 1-3 Liverpool

18:54 , Matt Verri

50 mins: Start of this half couldn’t really have gone worse for Liverpool.

Konate has gone down, last thing the Reds need is another injury.

He’s not going to be able to continue. Van Dijk is forced into action, a second Liverpool change.

Sparta Prague 1-3 Liverpool

18:52 , Matt Verri

48 mins: VAR check... goal stands.

Bradley on for Gomez at half-time and it’s been a miserable introduction.

And here come Sparta again, they’re in... Kelleher forced into a good save! Liverpool are a mess.

GOAL! Sparta Prague 1-3 Liverpool | Conor Bradley (OG) 46'

18:51 , Matt Verri

OR NOT!

Bradley is on for Liverpool and he has scored an own goal within a minute.

Ball played across the face of goal, he tries to clear it and instead finds the top corner.

Back underway!

18:49 , Matt Verri

Liverpool looking to really put this tie to bed, if they haven’t done so already.

They probably have.

18:45 , Matt Verri

Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai both on the bench tonight.

Would be a real surprise if we saw either of them now, with this match pretty much done.

Imagine Jurgen Klopp will save the two of them for Sunday, when Manchester City travel to Anfield.

Nunez at the double!

18:39 , Matt Verri

A third goal has surely finished off this tie.

Two special strikes from Nunez tonight - a man full of confidence.

HT: Sparta Prague 0-3 Liverpool

18:35 , Matt Verri

And that proves to be the final touch of the half.

Liverpool absolutely cruising, thanks to a brace from Nunez and Mac Allister’s early penalty.

Klopp could not have hoped for a better 45 minutes!

GOAL! Sparta Prague 0-3 Liverpool | Darwin Nunez 45+3'

18:34 , Matt Verri

Tie over already!

Mac Allister plays the ball over the top, Nunez lets it bounce and then lashes a finish into the far corner. Sensational.

Sparta Prague 0-2 Liverpool

18:31 , Matt Verri

45 mins: Liverpool piling on the pressure at the end of this half.

Diaz skips into space, opens up for him on the edge of the area but the shot rises over the bar.

Three minutes added on.

Sparta Prague 0-2 Liverpool

18:29 , Matt Verri

44 mins: Another big save!

Gakpo is away on goal, trying to shake off the defender. Cuts onto his right foot, goalkeeper has already sort of gone down but he still denies Gakpo.

Sparta Prague 0-2 Liverpool

18:27 , Matt Verri

42 mins: Gakpo and Endo both try their luck from the edge of the box, too many bodies in the way though.

Scrappy period in this match, neither side able to keep control of the ball in midfield.

Diaz drives into the box, plays the ball across the face of goal and Sorensen hacks it only as far as Gakpo... good save at the near post.

Sparta Prague 0-2 Liverpool

18:24 , Matt Verri

39 mins: Sorensen getting a bit of treatment for Sparta, after going down off the ball.

Gives you a chance to enjoy that Nunez goal...

Sparta Prague 0-2 Liverpool

18:22 , Matt Verri

36 mins: WHAT A MISS!

Sparta have to score. Kuchta played in, he fires a shot straight at Kelleher. Rebound falls for Birmancevic, he can’t sort his feet out though and the ball dribbles wide as he loses balance.

He had an empty net.

Sparta Prague 0-2 Liverpool

18:18 , Matt Verri

33 mins: Hosts starting to get going again.

Nice move down the right, ball cut back to Kuchta and he can’t keep his effort down. Pretty much just bounced off his knee.

Sparta Prague 0-2 Liverpool

18:16 , Matt Verri

31 mins: That goal has really hurt Sparta.

They were having a strong spell, but the hosts are struggling to get a kick now. Momentum well and truly gone.

Sparta Prague 0-2 Liverpool

18:13 , Matt Verri

27 mins: Top corner was slightly generous.

The ball was pretty much centre of the goal when it flew in, goalkeeper basically threw himself out of the way. Bit strange.

Anyway, Liverpool in complete control now.

GOAL! Sparta Prague 0-2 Liverpool | Darwin Nunez 25'

18:11 , Matt Verri

Really good spell this from Sparta. They need to make it count. Ball flashed into the middle by Birmancevic, Robertson smacks it away.

BUT LIVERPOOL DOUBLE THE LEAD!

Their first attack in ages, Nunez has just curled one into the top corner from 20 yards out!

Sparta Prague 0-1 Liverpool

18:07 , Matt Verri

21 mins: Three corners in a row for Sparta. Pressure really building.

This one to the near post, it’s a mess from Liverpool in the middle until Gakpo clears. Liverpool struggling all of a sudden.

Sparta Prague 0-1 Liverpool

18:06 , Matt Verri

20 mins: Now a corner at the other end, after a great block from Konate.

Whipped to the back post, Kelleher comes and doesn’t get there. He makes up for it though, superb save as a flicked header forces him into action.

Sparta Prague 0-1 Liverpool

18:04 , Matt Verri

18 mins: Corner for Liverpool - it’s a really open match. Both sides getting space.

Robertson swings it in, headed out. Gomez tries to find the left-back out wide, but pings a pass straight out of play.

Sparta Prague 0-1 Liverpool

18:01 , Matt Verri

15 mins: WHAT A SAVE!

Haraslin completely free at the back post, can’t beat Kelleher though!

It’s a sensational stop from Kelleher, ball still loops towards the goal though... and Gomez gets back on the line to clear.

Sparta Prague 0-1 Liverpool

17:59 , Matt Verri

13 mins: Sparta throw the ball long into the Liverpool box, flicked on and the visitors just about scramble it clear.

Nunez is then in a straight foot race with Preciado on the break, but the Sparta defender just about beats him to the ball and nods it back to Vindahl.

Sparta Prague 0-1 Liverpool

17:57 , Matt Verri

11 mins: Endo has somehow avoided a yellow card.

Haraslin turns him really nicely, Endo basically rugby tackles him to stop the counter, and the referee only gives a free-kick.

It’s almost a booking for Haraslin, who is warned for his outburst.

Sparta Prague 0-1 Liverpool

17:55 , Matt Verri

9 mins: Liverpool look really sharp, Sparta will already be fearing this tie could be over tonight.

Home fans continue to make plenty of noise, but the players are not responding.

GOAL! Sparta Prague 0-1 Liverpool | Alexis Mac Allister 7'

17:52 , Matt Verri

Mac Allister wins the penalty... Mac Allister scores the penalty!

Sends the goalkeeper the wrong way, whipped into the bottom corner. Perfect start.

Sparta have not got going at all.

PENALTY LIVERPOOL!

17:50 , Matt Verri

5 mins: Nunez appears to be booted from behind, but the referee just waves play on.

But he’s given a penalty now! Sorensen caught on the edge of his own area, Mac Allister pokes the ball away and gets brought down.

Out of nothing.

Slavia Prague 0-0 Liverpool

17:48 , Matt Verri

2 mins: Liverpool have flown out of the blocks.

Ball bobbles loose in the box, Nunez pounces and gets round the goalkeeper, but his scuffed effort is cleared off the line.

That was a huge chance.

KICK-OFF!

17:46 , Matt Verri

We are up and running!

Here we go!

17:43 , Matt Verri

Teams are out onto the pitch in Prague.

It’s a great atmosphere, Sparta fans right up for it. Hosts not used to tasting defeat here.

Squad update from Klopp

17:36 , Matt Verri

Jurgen Klopp has been asked about his bench tonight.

He admits he’s unsure how much he can Dominik Szoboszlai and Mohamed Salah if required.

Suggests that Szoboszlai is further along in terms of training and fitness than Salah.

Mac Allister explains 'connection' with Nunez

17:30 , Matt Verri

Alexis Mac Allister and Darwin Nunez both start for Liverpool tonight.

Speaking at yesterday’s press conference, Mac Allister spoke about his close bond with the striker.

"My relationship with Darwin is very good," Mac Allister said. "Since the first time we met, you could see the connection between us off the pitch and then on the pitch we try to be connected.

"When I play as an eight of course that connection has to be important. He is an amazing guy, he is doing very well and works very hard and that's why I am very happy for him."

New format to come!

17:23 , Matt Verri

This is the final season of European competitions using the current format.

From the start of the new campaign, the group-stage will look very different.

Here’s how it will work...

Priske insists Sparta believe

17:18 , Matt Verri

Liverpool the strong favourites tonight, of course, but Sparta Prague boss Brian Priske insists his side will not be lacking in confidence.

He said: “I think every sportsman believes that they can win any game, but of course we are also realistic and know very well that Liverpool are one of the big giants in international football.

"Liverpool are playing great this season and my boys will have their hands full.”

Sparta can deliver on home soil

17:10 , Matt Verri

Sparta Prague finished second in the Europa League group before Christmas, behind Rangers.

They took seven points from their three home matches, and then beat Galatasaray 4-1 in Prague to reach the last-16.

They are a real threat on home soil.

Klopp: Full focus on Sparta Prague

17:00 , Matt Verri

Man City make the trip to Anfield on Sunday, in a match that could have a defining say on the Premier League title race.

However, Jurgen Klopp has insisted Liverpool are not looking beyond tonight.

“As far as I know it is the only game we play tomorrow night, so that’s the most important game we have,” Klopp said yesterday.

“We would not have won the League Cup, we would not be in the next round of the FA Cup, we would not still be in the Europa League if we would prioritise a competition.

“We never did – maybe it would be smart if we do it, but I am a bit dumb so I don’t know how to do that, and we go in each game with all we have and hopefully you will see that tomorrow night. That’s the target.”

And just for balance...

16:52 , Matt Verri

Here’s the Liverpool squad.

Nice and simple from the Reds, no added music. 1-0.

In the building!

16:47 , Matt Verri

The hosts have arrived at the stadium - kick-off just under an hour away!

Sparta Prague team news

16:42 , Matt Verri

Starting XI: Vindahl, Preciado, Solbakken, Kairinen, Kutcha, Birmancevic, Haraslin, Sorensen, Zeleny, Krejci, Vitik

Subs: Vorel, Surovcik, Olatunji, Karabec, Tuci, Sadilek, Mejdr, Laci, Vydra, Wiesner, Sevcik, Rynes

Liverpool go strong!

16:39 , Matt Verri

Mohamed Salah back in the squad, as he is named on the bench, with Virgil van Dijk also among the substitutes.

It’s still a very strong side named by Jurgen Klopp though, maybe stronger than we were expecting with the Man City match to come on Sunday.

Darwin Nunez leads the line, Wataru Endo starts in midfield and the likes of Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson are named in the back four.

Liverpool team news

16:33 , Matt Verri

Starting XI: Kelleher, Gomez, Konate, Quansah, Robertson, Endo, Mac Allister, Elliott, Diaz, Gakpo, Nunez

Subs: Adrian, Mrozek, Van Dijk, Szoboszlai, Salah, Tsimikas, Clark, Gordon, McConnell, Koumas, Bradley, Musialowski

Dublin the goal!

16:29 , Matt Verri

The Europa League journey leads to Dublin this season.

Final will be held in Ireland, on May 22. If the odds are anything to go by, at least one of Liverpool or Bayer Leverkusen will be there!

Xabi Alonso to face Liverpool in the final, and then take over in the summer?

Neville: City the team to beat

16:18 , Matt Verri

Arsenal and Liverpool cannot rely on other teams doing them favours if they want to beat Manchester City to the Premier League title, according to Gary Neville.

Pep Guardiola’s defending champions bounced back from an early Marcus Rashford screamer to beat Manchester United in Sunday’s derby, putting them back to within a point of leaders Liverpool.

City’s next two league games come away to Liverpool next weekend before hosting Arsenal on March 31.

“Liverpool have got momentum and energy - and the Klopp factor,” he told Sky Sports.

“Arsenal at this moment are the best performing team, defensively and they’ve now started to hit their stride in attack.

“City have got the most experience. All three have got something.

“City are the barometer, that’s who they have to try and knock off the perch. That’s what you have to beat them - you can’t say ‘well City might drop points at that ground’ if you’re not beating them yourself.

“You have to beat them if you’re Liverpool and Arsenal.”

Liverpool look to avoid hat-trick

16:08 , Matt Verri

Liverpool have not lost many times this season, but they were beaten twice in the Europa League group-stage.

Those both came on the road, against Toulouse and Union SG, and they will know the significance of ensuring it is not three away defeats on the bounce in Europe tonight.

Arsenal and Tottenham are the only others sides to beat Liverpool this season.

Klopp has Salah decision to make

16:00 , Matt Verri

Will Mohamed Salah feature tonight?

He is back from injury, but Liverpool face Manchester City in a huge Premier League showdown on Sunday. Would be a big risk to start Salah ahead of that.

“Mo travelled,” Jurgen Klopp said in his pre-match press conference. “He is with us, he trained two days, so full of energy. We have to see [how much he will play].

“But it is so good that he is back, that is really good for us and you can see in his face he is very happy. A very unlucky situation with being that long out and in for a moment, if you want, at Brentford, played an incredible game there and was out again. That’s how it is.

“We want to be careful, we have to be careful, but in the middle of a super-intense period of the season we need everybody and now let’s see how long we can use him. That’s how it is with him and with others as well. Yeah, just good news.”

Stage is set!

15:53 , Matt Verri

Early look at tonight’s venue, with just under two hours to go until kick-off in Prague.

Berger: Sparta can give Liverpool a game

15:46 , Matt Verri

Former Liverpool midfielder Patrik Berger started and ended his career at Sparta Prague.

He is expecting a competitive clash tonight, with Sparta really needing a positive result to take back to Anfield.

“Sparta Prague won the league last year,” Berger told Betway.

“They sit top of the league now, so you have the leaders from the Czech league playing against the Premier League leaders.

“For Sparta, it's good for them to compare what it's like to play against the best team in the Premier League.

“I think it's going to be tough for Sparta Prague even if they play well. I think they will give a game to Liverpool over here in Prague, but next week at Anfield will be a different story and I expect Liverpool to take control in the second leg.”

Standard Sport prediction

15:38 , Matt Verri

While much depends on the kind of team Klopp selects, it would be a shock to see a Liverpool team in this kind of form lose.

Sparta are capable of causing them problems though, in what could proved to be a tight encounter.

Liverpool to win, 2-1.

Liverpool team news

15:29 , Matt Verri

Liverpool have Mohamed Salah available again and he could feature in some capacity this evening.

Elsewhere, Darwin Nunez, Dominik Szoboszlai and Wataru Endo have travelled after making their returns from injuries in the weekend win at Nottingham Forest.

But Jayden Danns is unavailable due to concussion.

The timeframe for Ryan Gravenberch’s return from an ankle injury is not yet clarified, while the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson Becker and Curtis Jones are out until after the international break.

Predicted Liverpool XI: Kelleher; Gomez, Quansah, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Mac Allister, Endo, McConnell; Elliott, Nunez, Diaz

How to watch Sparta Prague vs Liverpool

15:21 , Matt Verri

TV channel: The game will be broadcast on TNT Sports 1. Coverage starts at 5pm GMT ahead of a 5.45pm kick-off time.

Live stream: Subscribers will be able to watch on a live stream via the Discovery+ website and app.

Live blog: Follow all the action LIVE right here with us!

Good afternoon!

15:14 , Matt Verri

Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Sparta Prague vs Liverpool!

The Europa League has reached the last-16 stage, with Liverpool away from home tonight in the first leg.

We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news ahead of kick-off, which comes at 5:45pm GMT from the epet Arena. Stay with us!