Liverpool swept Sparta Prague at Anfield in the Europa League. The "Reds" defeated the champion of the Czech Republic with 6:1 and with a total score of 11:2 made their way to the quarterfinals in the second strongest UEFA tournament.
The former team of Martin Minchev entered the meeting unfocused and wobbly and conceded 4 goals until the 14th minute.
First-match hero Darwin Nunes continued his punishing streak against Sparta, opening the scoring in the 7th minute off a pass from Dominik Soboslay. Bobby Clarke made it 2-0 just 60 seconds later and soon after the youngster returned Mohamed Salah's assist and the Merseyside star made it 3-0.
In the 14th, Jurgen Klopp's team was already leading 4:0 through Cody Gakpo. However, the hosts showed that they can concede goals after Velko Birmančević reduced the lead before the break.
The second half started in a similar fashion with two quick goals for the hosts in the first 10 minutes. Dominik Soboslay signed first, followed by Gakpo soon after.
The other favourite in the competition - AC Milan - also easily qualified for the quarter-final stage after recording a 3:1 success away to Slavia Prague. "The Rossoneri" won their 1/8-final clash with the Czechs with a total score of 7:3.
In the second leg, the goals for the Italians were scored by Christian Pulisic (33), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (36) and Rafael Leao (45+6), and the honorary goal for the hosts was the work of reserve Matej Jurasek (84).
The task of the Milan great was made easier after a direct red card to the opposing captain Tomasz Holes, who was sent off in the 20th minute.
Here are all the results from the 1/8 finals:
Rangers (Scotland) - Benfica (Portugal) 0:1 (2:2 in the first meeting)
Slavia Prague (Czech Republic) - Milan (Italy) 1:3 (2:4)
Villarreal (Spain) - Olympique Marseille (France) 3:1 (0:4)
West Ham (England) - Freiburg (Germany) 5:0 (0:1)
Atalanta (Italy) - Sporting Lisbon (Portugal) 2:1 (1:1)
Bayer Leverkusen (Germany) - Karabakh (Azerbaijan) 3:2 (2:2)
Brighton (England) - Roma (Italy) 1:0 (0:4)
Liverpool (England) - Sparta Prague (Czech Republic) 6:1 (5:1). /BGNES
