Liverpool FC news recap: Reds hammer Sparta, 1000 up, Konate injury | OneFootball

Here's our Liverpool FC news recap for Thursday 7th March. The Reds hammered Sparta Prague in the UEFA Europa League.

Liverpool restarted their Europa League campaign tonight as they travelled to face Sparta Prague. It was a difficult one to navigate - a good, aggressive team just a few days before the visit of Manchester City in the Premier League.

The Reds couldn't have really navigated it much better. A 5-1 win, plenty of rotation and just the one injury concern - though, some would argue that one was a risk not worth taking.

Liverpool FC news recap: Reds hammer Sparta, 1000 up, Konate injury 5 mins ago by Alex Caple

Jurgen Klopp promises 'wonderful' Liverpool player is 'not yet' at his peak 2 hours ago by Alex Caple

Ibrahima Konate appears to suffer injury; Jurgen Klopp gives update 3 hours ago by Alex Caple

We also got a landmark goal as Darwin Nunez stole the show.

Here's our Liverpool FC news recap.

Sparta Prague 1-5 Liverpool

A massive result for Liverpool. Alexis Mac Allister got things off to a fantastic start as he won and then converted a penalty. Then Darwin Nunez stepped up to score two brilliant goals that essentially wrapped things up before half time.

Sparta Prague v Liverpool Europa League 07/03/2024. Round of 16 Goal 1-4 Luis Diaz 7 of Liverpool scores a goal and celebrates during the Europa League Round of 16 match between Sparta Prague and Liverpool at epet ARENA, Prague, Czech Republic on 7 March 2024. Editorial use only , Copyright: xNigelxKeenex PSI-19187-0035

Conor Bradley was desperately unfortunate to put through his own net after the break, potentially offering Sparta a way back into the tie. Luis Diaz and Dominik Szoboszlai wrapped things up nicely, however.

5-1, then, and a result that should hopefully make the second leg a formality.

➡️ You can catch our player ratings here.

➡️ And our 5 talking points here.

1000 goals under Jurgen Klopp

Mac Allister's penalty was Liverpool's 999th goal under Klopp, with Nunez then making it 1000. Of course, it's a landmark that Klopp was always going to hit at some point this season but it's incredible to finally see it.

Sparta Prague v Liverpool Europa League 07/03/2024. Round of 16 Goal 0-2 Darwin Nunez 9 of Liverpool scores a goal during the Europa League Round of 16 match between Sparta Prague and Liverpool at epet ARENA, Prague, Czech Republic on 7 March 2024. Editorial use only , Copyright: xNigelxKeenex PSI-19187-0025

1000 goals in 476 games, to be precise. It's a higher total than the Reds managed under Bob Paisley (955 in 535 games) - though, some way short of Bill Shankly's tally of 1307 (in 783 games, mind).

Liverpool have been a relentless attacking machine under Klopp, and him bagging 1000th goals at an average comfortably over two per game is sensational. With far more to come, it should be said.

Liverpool still have a couple of months left of Klopp and plenty of goals to come. In fact, no.1001 came shortly after no.1000 as Nunez struck again.

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Klopp shares Konate update

Ibrahima Konate appears to have suffered an injury playing for Liverpool against Sparta Prague. The Reds face Manchester City this weekend.

Chelsea v Liverpool - Carabao Cup Final Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool celebrates with trophy after winning the Carabao Cup Final match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on February 25, 2024 in London, England. London Wembley Stadium England United Kingdom PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUK Copyright: xNigelxFrench/Sportsphoto/APLx 13968972

Ibrahima Konate went off early for Liverpool against Sparta Prague on Thursday evening. The defender started the game and played beyond half-time - something that quickly looked like a disastrous decision.

After all, Liverpool face Manchester City at the weekend and will want Konate starting at the back. His early exit, however, was a real blow.

And that came on the back of Joe Gomez leaving at half-time. It wasn't apparent whether that was a problem or simply a planned substitution. Injuries to both defenders would leave Liverpool incredibly short at the weekend.

Fortunately, it seems both should be okay. Jurgen Klopp shared an immediate update after the 5-1 win where he claimed it was more precaution than anything.

"Ibou said to me 'if I do another sprint, [the injury] could be set'," said Klopp, per Paul Gorst. "Should be fine but we don't know.

"Joe Gomez is fine - played a lot, rotation. So let's see with Ibou."

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Klopp ready to turn down TV work

Jurgen Klopp could walk into his first job after Liverpool as soon as this summer. The German is being headhunted.

Jurgen Klopp file photo File photo dated 10-02-2024 of Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who has rejected suggestions he has rushed back players in recent weeks after Trent Alexander-Arnold, Thiago Alcantara and Dominik Szoboszlai all aggravated injuries early in their returns. Issue date: Friday February 16, 2024. FILE PHOTO EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publica... PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUKxIRL Copyright: xTimxMarklandx 75357473

The Daily Mail reports that both the BBC and ITV are desperately battling to hire Jurgen Klopp for punditry this summer. The two broadcasters will show Euro 2024 and each hope to convince Klopp to work for them on punditry duty.

It's a role Klopp has done previously. In fact, his management career has a lot to owe to punditry as it was his work during the 2006 World Cup on German TV that significantly boosted his reputation.

Klopp actually won an award for his efforts - and did so again after the 2010 World Cup. He's incredibly good at it and now that he's one of the biggest names in football, broadcasters are desperate to get him.

The BBC are said to be pushing more aggressively but both will apparently fail to get him. The tournament itself stands in their way as Klopp has tickets to all three of Germany's group-stage games.

He wants to go and watch the tournament as a fan, given it's taking place in his homeland. There's also a very good chance, if reports are to be believed, that this will be his last chance to watch Germany as a fan for a while.

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Alexander-Arnold hails Brighton

Liverpool vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold has been full of praise for Brighton. Roberto De Zerbi has been linked with the Anfield job.

Liverpool, England, 23rd December 2023. Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool during the Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool. Picture credit should read: Darren Staples / Sportimage EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. SPI-2829-0113

Trent Alexander-Arnold is on the cover of Four Four Two magazine this month and there have been some interesting quotes from his interview. Notably, he talked about the difference between Liverpool and Manchester City's success - and that one ruffled feathers.

But Alexander-Arnold was also asked for his opinion on the most interesting team he's seen in recent times. His answer was an eyebrow-raising one, given it led to high praise for Roberto De Zerbi's Brighton.

De Zerbi has been linked with the Liverpool job ever since Jurgen Klopp announced his intention to step down at the end of the season. It certainly sounds as though he has admirers on the playing staff at Anfield.

"I think the most interesting team over the last year or two in the Premier League have been Brighton," said Alexander-Arnold. "When I'm able to watch one of their games, it's always entertaining, it's always free-flowing football, the way that they build up, and play out from the back is exceptional, really brave.

"It's a nightmare to play against, an absolute nightmare."

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5 talking points from Liverpool's 5-1 win vs Sparta Prague 3 hours ago by Alex Caple

Liverpool 5-1 Sparta Prague: Player ratings 3 hours ago by Alex Caple

Jurgen Klopp’s Sparta lineup provides big clues for key Man City selections 6 hours ago by Alex Caple