07 March 2024 , 19:58
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It was the 1,000th goal of Jurgen Klopp’s reign at Liverpool and was up there with the best of them.
Darwin Nunez’s second for 1,001 wasn’t bad, either. This was a double to remember after he added to Alexis Mac Allister’s early penalty as the Reds took total control of this Europa League last-16 tie.
The pony-tailed striker scored two stunners to put Sparta Prague to the sword and fire the Merseysiders all but through to the quarter-finals. A Conor Bradley own goal in the second half gave the Czech side some hope but Luis Diaz restored the Reds’ three-goal advantage.
Then Dominik Szoboszlai made it a fantastic five in stoppage time which means next week’s second leg at Anfield is a mere formality. Even though he went off after 50 minutes with Sunday’s crunch Premier League clash with Manchester City in mind, this night was about Nunez. His first was stunning.
The Uruguayan looked out of options as a counter attack looked set to fizzle out. But the Sparta defence backed off him 25 yards from goal.
That was a big mistake as the in-form striker put his foot through the ball and it flew over keeper Peter Vindahl.
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What a moment as Klopp’s side reached the landmark figure under him but 1,001 was to come. Nunez’s second was a half volley from an angle that found the corner just before half-time. Not quite as impressive as the first, but still another wow moment from this ever-improving Kop star.
Alexis Mac Allister scores Liverpool's opener from the penalty spot (Anadolu via Getty Images)The former Benfica striker has already surpassed last season’s tally as he’s now on 16 goals and it’s nine since Boxing Day. No longer a “s*** Andy Carroll” as rival fans often goad and more making a name for himself as a top-class front man for Liverpool.
Nunez’s first in the 25th minute was perfectly timed, too, as Sparta started to put pressure on. Liverpool were leading thanks to an early Mac Allister penalty.
Darwin Nunez smashes home a superb half volley for his second and Liverpool's third (Kieran McManus/REX/Shutterstock)The Argentina ace had won it himself as he closed down Asger Sorensen and picked the ball off the Sparta man’s toe. Sorensen panicked and clipped the on-rushing Liverpool midfielder.
Stand-in stopper Caoimhin Kelleher had another impressive night deputising for the injured Alisson. His save to deny Lukas Haraslin was the stand out stop and Joe Gomez mopped up with a clearance off the line.
After Nunez’s first strike, the Irish stopper then turned away an effort from Jan Kuchta and Velijko Birmancevic made a mess of the rebound. The night couldn’t have gone much better for Liverpool. Mo Salah even got minutes late on and had a goal ruled out by VAR.
Luis Diaz celebrates after scoring Liverpool''s fourth goal (MARTIN DIVISEK/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)It felt harsh on Sparta in front of their loud support but it was ruthless from Liverpool, who eased to victory after some drama at the start of the second half. Klopp only went for one change at the break that was Bradley for Joe Gomez.
The Northern Irishman turned into his own net with his first touch as he tried to clear Birmancevic’s cross. Suddenly the home fans were back making noise and Kelleher had to deny Haraslin again soon after.
Ibrahima Konate was forced off with an injury and it looked like the night could turn sour for the visitors. But good work from Bradley at the other end helped get the ball to Diaz and he found the net with the help of a deflection.
Szoboszlai ensured the Reds took a four-goal lead back home when he broke into the area in stoppage time before firing in.
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