As Liverpool prepares to host Sparta Prague at Anfield for the second leg of their Europa League round of 16 clash on Thursday, 14 March, they could be looking to rest some key players.
After a dominant 5-1 first-leg victory, Jurgen Klopp’s Reds are looking to seal their place in the quarter-finals with another win.
This article delves into the predicted lineups, and current form, and offers a lineup prediction for what promises to be an enthralling encounter.
Liverpool’s Continued European Ambition
Liverpool entered the match with a significant advantage, having thrashed Sparta Prague 5-1 in the first leg.
The Reds’ impressive form across all competitions has been a testament to their resilience and tactical prowess and despite a recent slip allowing Arsenal to overtake them in the Premier League standings, Liverpool’s draw against Manchester City showcased their strength against other top-tier opposition, despite their current injury woes.
Mohamed Salah, who has made impactful appearances off the bench in recent matches, is expected to be rested ahead of a quarter-final match with Man United this weekend.
Liverpool’s predicted lineup features:
Kelleher; Gomez, Quansah, Van Dijk, Robertson; McConnell, Szoboszlai, Clark; Elliott, Gakpo, Nunez in a 4-3-3 formation.
Sparta Prague’s Uphill Battle
Sparta Prague faces a daunting task at Anfield, needing a miraculous comeback to overturn the first-leg deficit.
The Czech side’s morale may be affected by their recent domestic performances, including a heavy defeat to Viktoria Plzen. However, they travel to Liverpool without suspensions, though injury doubts cloud the availability of key players like Asger Sorensen.
Sparta Prague Predicted XI
The predicted lineup for Sparta Prague is:
Vindahl-Jensen; Vitik, Rynes, Krejci; Preciado, Solbakken, Kairinen, Zeleny; Birmancevic, Kuchta, Haraslin, suggesting a tactical shift to a 3-4-3 formation to bolster both defence and attack.
FAQ
What time does the match kick off? The match kicks off at 20:00 GMT on Thursday, 14 March.
Where can I watch the match? In the UK, the match is available on Discovery+, TNT Sports Ultimate, and TNT Sports 2.
Are there any major injuries affecting either team? Liverpool continues to be without Trent Alexander-Arnold, Thiago, and several others. Sparta Prague has doubts over Jakub Posek, David Pavelka, and Asger Sorensen.
What’s at stake in this match? A place in the Europa League quarter-finals. Liverpool aims to build on their first-leg lead, while Sparta Prague looks for a historic comeback.
