Liverpool vs Sparta Prague

Liverpool’s place in the Europa League quarter-finals is a mere formality ahead of the return leg of their last-16 tie against Sparta Prague at Anfield.

Jurgen Klopp’s free-flowing side thumped the Czech Republic champions 5-1 in the first leg in Prague to put one foot in the next knockout round before sharing the spoils with Premier League title rivals Manchester City in a dramatic 1-1 draw last weekend. With a substantial advantage in the bank, Klopp could mix things up this time and give some of his highly-rated youngsters a chance to get the job done. One way or another, the Reds should move past this stage, enabling the German manager to pursue the only piece of silverware he has failed to obtain during his trophy-laden spell at Anfield. Liverpool’s outstanding record of achieving progression from all 36 previous UEFA knockout ties when winning the first leg away from home can only inspire further confidence.

On the other hand, Sparta Prague’s long-standing woes on English soil have seen them win just once on their 11 previous visits to the country (D2, L8). But as that lone triumph came in the original version of this competition, courtesy of a 3-2 win at Watford in the 1983/84 UEFA Cup, they won’t lose hope of avoiding another catastrophe. Worryingly for Sparta fans, their ten winless away games against English clubs have seen the Czech giants score just four goals. As if that’s not concerning enough, Brian Priske’s side fell to a humiliating 4-0 loss to domestic rivals Viktoria Plzen at the weekend, casting further doubt on their bid to leave Anfield unembarrassed.