Liverpool fail to answer biggest question in Sparta Prague win as Darwin Nunez spearheads quadruple hopes

Liverpool cruised to a 5-1 win in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie against Sparta Prague on Thursday.

Jurgen Klopp named a strong side in the Czech Republic despite Sunday's huge match against Premier League title rivals Manchester City looming.

They were ahead within six minutes when Alexis Mac Allister won and scored a penalty, with the Argentine continuing to outline his importance with each passing game.

The lead was doubled in the 25th minute when Darwin Nunez, fresh off his controversial late winner against Nottingham Forest, curled in a beautiful long-range effort.

Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Darwin Nunez

The Uruguayan all but sealed the win before half-time with another sumptuous strike, this time volleying past Sparta goalkeeper Peter Jensen.

The hosts pulled one back in the first minute of the second half when the impressive Conor Bradley inadvertently turned a cross into his own goal.

But Liverpool responded quickly through Luis Diaz to restore the three-goal deficit, before Dominik Szoboszlai added the gloss in stoppage time upon his return from injury.

GB News takes a look at what we learned from the match as Liverpool's quadruple hopes remain firmly alive.

Liverpool fail to answer big question

Liverpool have had somewhat of an injury crisis in 2024 and have been without a whole host of first-team stars.

They have still managed to cope admirably in their absence and even won the first trophy of the season in the Carabao Cup.

One player who has been almost ever-present throughout that period is the captain Virgil van Dijk.

Van Dijk was given a rare rest from the start this evening, the first time he hasn't started in eight matches in all competitions.

Liverpool have often been questioned as to whether they can cope in Van Dijk's absence if he were to suffer an injury in the final few months of the season.

It was all looking rosy for the first 45 minutes or so when Klopp's side raced into a 3-0 lead.

But Ibrahima Konate's injury fragility struck again and he was taken off five minutes after half-time, making him a major doubt for the weekend.

That forced Van Dijk on when Klopp would rather have given him a complete rest after his busy recent schedule.

Liverpool have failed to answer whether they can do without Van Dijk and they will be praying he remains available between now and the end of May.

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Nunez keeps quadruple dream alive

Darwin Nunez

Nunez has been a firm favourite with Liverpool supporters for some time now.

But the striker is also winning over any neutral fans who doubted him, having now scored 16 goals in all competitions this term.

It could be argued that, after Mohamed Salah, he has become Liverpool's most important attacking player.

There is nothing Nunez cannot do in the final third and he again showed the variety of finish he has at his locker.

Jurgen Klopp and Ibrahima Konate

If he stays fit, there is no reason why he cannot play a huge part in the quest for further trophies.

It is looking increasingly likely that the Carabao Cup will not be the only silverware Klopp wins in his farewell season.

With players now starting to return from injury, Liverpool will be difficult to stop.