Liverpool beat LASK 4-0 at Anfield to book their place in the last 16 of the Europa League, earning their back-to-back home win.
The victory came at a gallop for the Reds, who were off the field for the first 25 minutes. Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo gave Liverpool the lead before Mohamed Salah deftly fired home his penalty five minutes into the second half.
Gakpo added a layer of brilliance in the final minutes to cap off a remarkable performance. It is now 8 wins in nine European matches against Austrian groups and the result is never in doubt.
The Merseyaspect side will travel to Belgium to face Union Saint-Gilloise in their last organisational match after dominating the organisation, allowing for a strong turnover in a turbulent period.
Jurgen Klopp scored enough point to seal Liverpool’s passage to the round of 16. With this in mind, and a desire to “share the intensity” as the hectic festive era approaches, he made nine adjustments in Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Manchester City. .
Caoimhin Kelleher, on extended loan at the club, replaced Alisson Becker in goal, with the Brazilian recovering from a hamstring injury suffered at the Etihad. Gakpo in midfield, flanked by Diaz and Mohamed Salah. Kaide Gordon, the fifth. The youngest player to have played for Liverpool, he has been named to the Team of the Day for the first time since January 2022, after recovering from a pelvic expansion problem.
Diogo Jota, Liverpool’s top scorer in the competition, absent with a muscle injury.
The Liverpool manager asked the fans to make it a special European evening and a hot atmosphere in Arctic conditions.
LASK manager Thomas Sageder has said his team will come to Anfield as tourists. The Austrians had 4 wins in their last five matches and held on from the first minutes. George Bellow, running down the left, won the first corner of the match.
Harvey Elliott, who replaced Dominik Szoboszlai, had his shot blocked after a clever combination with Diaz and Gakpo. He then threw the Dutchman, who stored his shot. But it wouldn’t be long before they broke through the LASK’s rear.
Diaz, who scored in the opposite match, sent the ball wide to Joe Gomez, who had time to look for a pass. Gomez returned it to Diaz in the unmarked box and the Colombian’s deft header crashed past Tobias Okiki Lawal. The winger is deceptively smart in the air and it turns out that he has developed a penchant for headers.
A few minutes later, LASK were still chasing another incisive move from Liverpool’s offensive trident. Díaz released Salah, who had been named captain, on the right. Salah generously set up the goal for Gakpo, who scored into an empty net. Fifth goal of the season. It is the first time Liverpool have scored more than five goals in December since 1992.
The vivacious Diaz wreaking havoc on the left. It went down in the box after Andres Andrade appeared to control it, but referee Urs Schnyder was unconvincing.
Kostas Tsimikas, who has yet to score for Liverpool, came close to scoring what could have been one of the goals of the season. His venomous goal from outside the box rattled the crossbar. Elliott then came close to a free kick. Diaz shot from a tight angle but ruled the offside.
Gomez, who has yet to score for Liverpool, stepped forward and directed his shot away from what would have been a true collector’s item.
It had been 42 minutes and it was maybe five or six. Elliott cut through the middle and released Salah on the right. The Egyptian’s efforts were in vain and Okiki Lawal was able to recover. The bubbly England Under-21 midfielder led the display. in the first half, creating 3 opportunities and bursting with panache.
Both groups remained unchanged after the break. Liverpool, the competition’s top scorer, shot and were awarded a penalty five minutes into the second half after Okaki Lawal brought down Gakpo in the box. Salah changed with the same aplomb as ever for his 13th goal of the season and 44th in Europe. It is his 199th goal for the club and 20th in his last 19 home games.
The irrepressible Gakpo saw his low shot hit the post after an electric run.
With the game all but won, Klopp made a triple substitution 10 minutes into the second half. Salah, Diaz and Ibrahima Konate were replaced by Darwin Nunez, Curtis Jones and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Maksym Talovierov duly earned the first booking of the match for hitting Wataru Endo. Jarell Quansah’s diligent defense disarmed Moses Usor on the left as the Austrian side threatened to eliminate one.
With 10 minutes remaining, fullbacks Conor Bradley and Luke Chambers entered the competition, with the former getting his first minutes of the season.
Gakpo added a layer of brilliance in the final minutes, outplaying Okaki Lawal in his moment of the night.