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Europa League | Round of 16 | 1st Leg
Mar 7, 2024 at 5.45pm UK
Epet Arena
Liverpool logo

Sparta Prague
1 - 5
Liverpool

Bradley (46' og.)
Krejci (62'), Zeleny (73')
FT(HT: 0-3)
Mac Allister (7' pen.), Nunez (25', 45+3'), Diaz (53'), Szoboszlai (90+4')

Jurgen Klopp delivers Ibrahima Konate update after Sparta Prague triumph

Klopp delivers Konate update after Sparta Prague triumph
© Reuters
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp confirms that defender Ibrahima Konate requires further assessment after coming off injured in their 5-1 Europa League win over Sparta Prague.

Liverpool centre-back Ibrahima Konate will be sent for further assessment after coming off injured in the Reds' 5-1 Europa League last-16 first-leg success over Sparta Prague on Thursday evening.

With Virgil van Dijk enjoying a well-earned rest, Konate and Jarell Quansah formed the central barrier in front of Caoimhin Kelleher at epet Arena, where Liverpool's defence repeatedly came under the cosh in the first half.

The Reds' rearguard remained unbroken at the half-time break, but just a few minutes after the restart, Konate went down and could not continue, being replaced by Van Dijk for the remainder of the match.

Konate's withdrawal quickly sparked concern about his availability for the weekend's crunch Premier League clash with Manchester City, where Jurgen Klopp could already have up to 10 players unavailable due to various fitness problems.

Speaking to the press after the game, though, Klopp revealed that the former RB Leipzig man "should be fine", although he is still in the dark about the severity of his issue as the Reds prepare to fly back to England.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp reacts on January 31, 2024© Reuters

"We don't know [yet]. Ibou said to me when he passed me in that moment, 'I thought if I do another sprint then it could be bad.' So, he said he should be fine, but we don't know," Klopp said.

Prior to Konate's withdrawal, Joe Gomez was also taken off at half time for Conor Bradley, but Klopp confirmed that the Englishman's switch was pre-planned, adding: "Joey is fine. We took him off, he played a lot of games so that was more rotation, precaution. Now let's see what is with Ibou."

After coming off the bench to replace Gomez, Bradley's first act was to steer the ball into the top corner of his own net, but Liverpool had already built up a healthy three-goal lead during a frenzied first half.

Darwin Nunez was on target twice after Alexis Mac Allister's early penalty, but Sparta saw a host of gilt-edged chances pass them by thanks to their own wastefulness and heroic interventions from the likes of Gomez, Konate and Kelleher.

Following Bradley's unfortunate own goal, Luis Diaz spared his teammate's blushes as he restored the Reds' three-goal cushion, before Dominik Szoboszlai completed the rout in added time after Mohamed Salah - making his first appearance since suffering a muscle injury against Brentford in February - had a goal controversially ruled out for offside.

Liverpool's Darwin Nunez celebrates scoring their second goal on March 7, 2024© Reuters

However, Klopp admitted that the 5-1 scoreline was harsh on Sparta given the manner of their plucky performance, adding: "So, the result is much better than the performance, that's true.

"Sparta played a good game; Sparta took some risks in our possession, they [were] hiding wingers slightly [and] our protection was not good, so they could create these counter-attacks. We lost a few unnecessary balls, which is then difficult to protect, but in other moments we should have done better.

"[They] took risks, we punished them for that in other moments, we scored wonderful goals, we had good moments in the game, really good moments in the game and we are not like that, that we think coming here is a walk in the park.

"It obviously was not a walk in the park, we had to work a lot, but we did not expect an easy game and it was not. But it was a good result and now we fly home, recover and in seven days we meet again."

Prior to next Thursday's return fixture at Anfield, the Reds can move four points clear of Man City in the Premier League rankings with victory in Sunday's tantalising top-of-the-table clash, although Arsenal can leapfrog both teams with a win at home to Brentford on Saturday.

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Game History

How you voted: Sparta Prague vs Liverpool

Sparta Prague
14.7%
Draw
21.9%
Liverpool
63.4%
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Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
QWest Ham650115
QFreiburg640212
3Olympiacos62137
4Backa Topola60151

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
QBrighton641113
QMarseille632111
3Ajax61235
4AEK Athens61144

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
QRangers632111
QSparta Prague631210
3Betis63039
4Aris Limassol61144

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
QAtalanta642014
QSporting Lisbon632111
3Sturm Graz61144
4Rakow61144

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
QLiverpool640212
QToulouse632111
3Union SG62228
4LASK61053

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
QVillarreal641113
QRennes640212
3M. Haifa61235
4Panathinaikos61144

Group G

TeamPWDLPTS
QSlavia Prague650115
QRoma641113
3Servette61235
4Sheriff Tiraspol60151

Group H

TeamPWDLPTS
QB. Leverkusen660018
QQarabag631210
3Molde62137
4Hacken60060


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