UEL: There was never a doubt but the aggregate raises eyebrows - Liverpool send half-a-dozen in Sparta's net

Liverpool advanced into the Europa League quarter-finals in emphatic fashion by demolishing Sparta Prague 6-1 at Anfield, and 11-2 on aggregate.

Despite leading 5-1 from the first leg, Liverpool did not hold back in the second, and were 4-0 up inside just 15 minutes. Darwin Núñez was their top scorer in the Europa League before tonight, and he netted his fifth of the competition with an admittedly scruffy finish after connecting with Dominik Szoboszlai’s pass. Bobby Clark then scored his first senior goal for the club after being set up by the returning Mohamed Salah, who started his first game since New Year’s Day.

The ‘Egyptian King’ then hit a milestone by adding Liverpool’s third, being the first Reds player to score 20+ goals in seven consecutive seasons as Sparta were punished again for failing to play out from the back. Salah then turned provider again for Cody Gakpo, as the hosts scored with their first four shots on target. Núñez should have added a fifth when he somehow placed Salah’s precise pass over from close range, but it was actually Sparta who had the final say before halftime, as Veljko Birmančević rolled home a consolation goal - his 12th of the season and fourth in the Europa League, with all of his goals in Europe coming away from home.

However, Liverpool started the second half as quickly as the first, and Szoboszlai’s shot deflected in to make it the same scoreline it was in the reverse fixture, with Salah grabbing his third assist of the night. It would soon get even better for the Reds though, as substitute Harvey Elliot’s long-range strike would be beautifully back-heeled home by Gakpo for his second of the night, and Liverpool’s sixth. The Dutchman had multiple chances to score his hat-trick later on, and did have the ball in the net just before stoppage time, but it was ruled out for offside.

The result was perfect preparation for the hosts as they play bitter rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup on the weekend, with the Europa League being the only competition Jürgen Klopp has competed in but not won with Liverpool - and he will want a fairytale ending by reaching and winning the final before saying goodbye to the club. Sparta were totally outclassed in both legs, and they have now lost nine times in 12 matches on English soil. Brian Priske will try to lift his players who were on the end of another humbling - after losing 4-0 to Viktoria Plzeň before tonight.

UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE - ROUND OF 16

Second leg

Thursday

Slavia Praha - AC Milan 1-3 (0-2)

/Jurasek 85 - Pulisic 34, Loftus-Cheek 36, Leao 45+6/

AC Milan win 7-3 on aggregate

Villareal - Olympique Marseille 3-1 (1-0)

/Capoue 32, Sorloth 54, Mosquera 88 - Clauss 90+4/

Marseille win 5-3 on aggregate

Rangers - Benfica 0-1 (0-0)

/Rafa SIlva 66/

Benfica win 3-2 on aggregate

West Ham - Freiburg 5-0 (2-0)

/Paqueta 9, Bowen 32, Creswell 52, Kudus 77, 85/

West Ham win 5-1 on aggregate

Leverkusen - Qarabag 3-2 (0-0)

/Frimpong 72, Schick 90+3, 90+8 - Zoubir 58, Juninho 68/

Leverkusen win 5-4 on aggregate

Liverpool - Sparta Praha 6-1 (4-1)

/Nunez 7, Clark 8, Salah 10, Gakpo 14, 55, Szoboszlai 48 - Birmancevic 42/

Liverpool win 11-2 on aggregate

Brighton - Roma 1-0 (1-0)

/Welbeck 37/

Roma win 4-1 on aggregate

Atalanta - Sporting 2-1 (0-1)

/Lookman 46, Scammaca 59 - Goncalves 34/

Atalanta win 3-2 on aggregate