Liverpool qualified for the Europa League knockout stages as Group E winners after their front three starred in their 4-0 win over LASK at Anfield.
In making it 10 wins from 10 games at Anfield this season, the Reds scored two quick-fire goals in the opening 15 minutes as Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo both fired in from close range, before Mohamed Salah’s second-half penalty – his 199th goal for Liverpool – made it 3-0 after the break. Salah was taken off shortly after his goal, meaning he will have the chance to reach a double century of goals for the club when his side host Fulham on Sunday afternoon. There was time for Gakpo to score an injury-time fourth after a stunning pass from substitute Trent Alexander-Arnold.Liverpool have qualified with a game to spare as Toulouse’s draw with Union Saint-Gilloise means Jurgen Klopp’s side have secured top spot in Group E, which puts them straight into the last-16 round instead of a February play-off for finishing in second place. Liverpool wasted the chance to top their Europa League group when they lost at Toulouse last time out – but they wasted little time in getting this result in the bag early doors.
Gakpo should have given Liverpool the lead when Harvey Elliott flicked him through for a clear sight on goal – but he blazed over from inside the box
But Liverpool snatched their lead a minute later when Diaz found Joe Gomez on the right and the Colombia forward continued his run into the box. The defender found him unmarked in the area and Diaz was on hand to head home. ASK were bright in the opening exchanges and Sascha Horvath broke down the right and squared for the unmarked Moses Usor in the box – but the striker’s touch let him down and Liverpool could clear. ASK were bright in the opening exchanges and Sascha Horvath broke down the right and squared for the unmarked Moses Usor in the box – but the striker’s touch let him down and Liverpool could clear.
