AnalysisFive talking points from Liverpool 4-0 LASK
The result, coupled with Toulouse’s goalless draw against Union SG, means Jürgen Klopp’s side progress to the Round of 16 as Group E winners.
Here are five things we spotted during a successful evening at Anfield on Thursday…
Liverpool march on
For the seventh season in a row, Liverpool will be playing knockout European football in the New Year.
Victory here, their fourth in five matches in Group E, secured qualification for Klopp’s men, who having topped the group are now assured of their place in the last 16.
The last time the Reds reached that stage in this competition, in 2015-16, they went all the way to the final, losing to Sevilla in Basel.
They’ll be hoping to go one better this time around.
Diaz uses his head again
It took Liverpool only 12 minutes to take the lead here, with Diaz finding the net as he had in the return fixture over in Austria.
The Colombian was perfectly placed to power home Joe Gomez’s carefully guided cross, the goal taking his tally to five for the season in all competitions.
The last two of those goals have been headers, too, Diaz adding yet another string to his bow in recent weeks.
Klopp’s attack is flying
We’re only just arriving into December, and yet Liverpool’s attack are already posting some serious numbers.
With Diaz, Gakpo and Salah all on target here, Klopp’s five senior forwards have now netted 39 goals in 20 games between them in all competitions.
All have netted at least five, with Salah, of course, leading the way on 13. It’s the first time the Reds have had five different players on five goals before December in a season since the 1992-93 campaign.
Salah closes in on double century
Another game, another goal for Salah, who moved to 199 in all competitions for the club with a calmly converted 51st-minute penalty, after Gakpo was fouled by LASK goalkeeper Tobias Lawal.
The Egyptian was replaced to a standing ovation shortly after, no doubt with Sunday’s Premier League clash against Fulham in mind.
Salah, of course, will have his eye on yet another Reds milestone there. The double century is now tantalisingly within reach.
Home comforts for the Reds
Liverpool, Anfield and the Europa League remains a reliable combination.
After seeing off LASK, the Reds have now won their last eight home matches in the competition, a run that stretches back to 2015.
The last time they enjoyed a longer unbeaten run at Anfield in the Europa League or UEFA Cup was when they managed a 10-game streak between 1972 and 1976 – a period in which they twice lifted the trophy.
Klopp’s side have also won each of their first 10 home games this season in all competitions, becoming only the fourth team in the club’s history to achieve that feat, and the first since the double-winning side of 1985-86.
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