Liverpool cruised to the UEFA Europa League knockout stages with a 4-0 triumph over LASK at Anfield on Thursday evening.
Mohamed Salah and Konstantinos Tsimikas were the only players who maintained their starting berths for the Reds after Saturday’s draw at Manchester City.
Colombian Luis Diaz steered the Reds ahead on 12 minutes through a powerful header from close-range after making a late run in the penalty area.
Diaz came good again when he retrieved possession to come short and release Mohamed Salah on the right to play in a low cross for Coady Gakpo to tap in three minutes later.
LASK weren’t discouraged but continued to find joy in the final third with a number of runs in behind and long balls over the top that urged the Reds to keep a tight defensive line.
Jurgen Klopp’s men could’ve bagged a third goal on the half-hour mark with a thumping strike a couple of yards outside the six-yard box by Tsimikas, but he clattered the woodwork.
Liverpool remained in complete control five minutes after the break and bagged a third when Salah powered in the bottom-corner from the penalty spot following a foul on Gakpo.
The latter’s influence continued moments later where he surged down from the middle towards the area and fired off the foot of the post.
Liverpool conceded their first chance a little later in the second half as Ibrahim Mustapha beat the Reds defence to get in behind for a close-range shot, but goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher narrowed the angle.
In light of the danger, the Reds weren’t under intense pressure and refreshed their eleven with two youngsters in Conor Bradley and Luke Chambers off the bench.
Liverpool wrapped up the points and qualification to the next round as Gakpo got on the end Trent Alexander-Arnold’s pass and fired in the far corner.
The Reds progresses to the knockout stages in comfortable fashion and denied LASK any chance of a ticket themselves.
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