Liverpool will host Sparta Prague at Anfield in the second leg of the UEFA Europa League Round of 16, looking to reach the quarter-finals.
Liverpool picked up a 5-1 win in the first leg away from home, and their qualification over Sparta Prague is more or less secured. It is highly unlikely that Sparta will be able to overturn a four-goal deficit at Anfield.
The Reds are in impressive form right now, and they are unbeaten in their last six matches across all competitions. On the other hand, Sparta Prague have failed to win their last three matches across all competitions, and this will be a difficult outing for them.
They were thoroughly outplayed by Liverpool at home despite a few nervy moments, and the game at Anfield is likely to be more difficult. However, Liverpool will feel that they are already into the next round. So, they could look to rotate the team heavily, which could give the visitors a window of opportunity here.
Team News & Tactics
Liverpool
Alisson Becker, Diogo Jota, and Trent Alexander-Arnold are expected to return to action after the international break. Joel Matip and Thiago Alcantara are unlikely to play again this season. Curtis Jones, Stefan Bajcetic, and Ibrahima Konate are back in training, but they are unlikely to be risked here.
Liverpool are likely to shape up in a 4-3-3 formation, with Caoimhin Kelleher in goal. Conor Bradley and Kostas Tsimikas will be deployed as the full-backs, and the two players will look to help out at both ends of the pitch.
At the heart of the defence, Joe Gomez is likely to start alongside Jarell Quansah. The two players will look to keep things compact in the middle of the defence and nullify the Sparta Prague attacking threat.
In the midfield, Wataru Endo could be handed a start here as the defensive midfielder, and he will look to break up opposition attacks and win the ball back for his side. Bobby Clark and James McConnell are likely to be handed starts here, and they will look to add creativity and control to the side. In the front three, Cody Gakpo will lead the line for Liverpool, with Harvey Elliott and Lewis Koumas on either side of him.
Probable lineup (4-3-3): Kelleher; Bradley, Gomez, Quansah, Tsimikas; McConnell, Endo, Clark; Elliott, Gakpo, Koumas
Sparta Prague
Jakub Pesek could miss out for the away side, as he has missed the last four matches with a knee injury. Sparta Prague are likely to shape up in a 3-4-2-1 formation against Liverpool, with Peter Vindahl in goal.
In the back three, Martin Vitik will start alongside Ladislav Krejci and Asger Sorensen. Angelo Preciado and Matej Rynes will be deployed as the wing-backs, and they will look to help out during counter attacking situations and keep the Liverpool wingers quiet.
In the middle of the park, Qazim Laci will start alongside Kaan Kairinen. The two players will look to add creativity and defensive cover to the side. Jan Kuchta will lead the line for Sparta Prague here, with Veljko Birmancevic and Lukas Haraslin on either side of him.
Probable Lineup (3-4-3): Vindahl; Vitik, Krejci, Sorensen; Preciado, Kairinen, Laci, Rynes; Birmancevic, Kuchta, Haraslin
Key Stats
- Liverpool are unbeaten in the last six matches across all competitions.
- Sparta Prague are winless in the last three matches across all competitions.
- Liverpool have scored six goals in the last two meetings with Sparta Prague.
- Sparta Prague have conceded nine goals in the last two matches in all competitions.
- Liverpool have scored 15 goals in the last six matches across all competitions.
Player to Watch
Harvey Elliott
The 20-year-old Liverpool midfielder has been in fine form this season, picking up five assists and a goal in his last eight appearances. Liverpool will look to him to create goalscoring opportunities for his teammates, Elliott will look to deliver once again. He was outstanding in the first leg against Sparta Prague as well, producing three assists in the game.
Prediction
Liverpool 1-1 Sparta Prague
The visitors will be desperate for a win here, and Liverpool are likely to field heavily-weakened eleven. This is likely to be a close contest, and the two teams could end up cancelling each other out. A draw seems quite likely, and the two sides are likely to share the spoils.
Liverpool have an exceptional advantage from the first leg, and that is unlikely to be overturned. The home side will go through on aggregate, but they are unlikely to win here. The Hard Tackle predicts a 1-1 stalemate.
