Liverpool Thrash Sparta Prague 5-1
Liverpool took a commanding lead in their Europa League last-16 tie with Sparta Prague, thrashing the Czech side 5-1 at Anfield on Thursday.
Alexis Mac Allister gave Liverpool an early lead from the penalty spot in the sixth minute, after a defender brought him down inside the box. Darwin Nunez doubled the advantage in the 25th minute with a well-taken shot from distance, which also marked the 1,000th goal scored during Jurgen Klopp’s tenure as Liverpool manager.
Nunez then made it 3-0 just before half-time, finishing off a lofted pass from Mac Allister.
Liverpool’s Conor Bradley gifted Sparta Prague an own goal shortly after the break, but the visitors quickly regained their three-goal advantage thanks to a goal from Luis Diaz in the 53rd minute.
Substitute Mohamed Salah thought he had scored Liverpool’s fifth goal, but his effort was ruled out for offside by VAR. However, Dominik Szoboszlai ensured Liverpool’s victory with a fifth goal in injury time.
Roma Beat Brighton 4-0
AS Roma also secured a comfortable victory in their Europa League last-16 first leg, beating Brighton & Hove Albion 4-0 at the Stadio Olimpico.
Paulo Dybala opened the scoring for Roma in the 12th minute, before Romelu Lukaku doubled their lead just before half-time with a well-taken finish following a one-on-one with goalkeeper Jason Steele.
Roma extended their lead to 3-0 in the 64th minute through defender Gianluca Mancini, before midfielder Bryan Cristante sealed the victory with a header just four minutes later.
Other Europa League Results
In the other Europa League last-16 first legs, Bayer Leverkusen came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Azerbaijan’s Qarabag, while Sporting Lisbon and Atalanta played out a 1-1 draw.
The second legs of the Europa League last-16 ties will take place on March 14.
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