AnalysisTalking points: Gravenberch stars, Endo delivers, Jota on song and more
Liverpool put themselves in a commanding position to qualify for the Europa League knockout stages after a 5-1 victory over Toulouse at Anfield.
The Reds had five different goalscorers as they made it three wins from three in Group E, with Diogo Jota, Wataru Endo, Darwin Nunez, Ryan Gravenberch and Mohamed Salah all on target for Jürgen Klopp’s side.
Here are five talking points to emerge from Thursday evening in L4…
Gravenberch lights up Anfield
As the No.38 flashed up on the fourth official’s board, 21 minutes from full-time, Anfield rose to salute Gravenberch.
The Dutchman had enjoyed a fine evening, capping a classy performance with Liverpool’s fourth goal, his first in front of the Kop, after Nunez had seen his effort come back off the post.
Gravenberch has already made a considerable impact since joining the Reds from Bayern Munich, and he seems to be enjoying the Europa League in particular. He now has two goals and an assist in three appearances in the competition this season.
Endo delivers
Nine games into his Liverpool career, Endo has his first Reds goal.
It was a good one, too, the Japan international placing a perfect header into the far corner from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s inviting cross, to make it 2-1 after 31 minutes.
Endo might have had another after half-time, flashing an effort wide of the far post in front of the Kop, but having scored 15 times in 133 appearances for previous club Stuttgart, the 30-year-old will be delighted to be off the mark for his new one.
His goal was reward for a combative, classy performance.
Jota is on song
It took only nine minutes for Liverpool to find the breakthrough here, and it was all Jota’s own work.
Receiving the ball with his back to goal, just inside the centre-circle, the forward turned sharply and drove at the Toulouse defence, pushing the ball past Logan Costa into the box before finishing clinically past Guillaume Restes.
It was his fifth goal of the season - only Salah has more for Liverpool in all competitions - and like Gravenberch he has now scored in successive Europa League appearances.
Academy stars shine
This was another proud night for Liverpool’s Academy, with no fewer than seven graduates given game time.
Alexander-Arnold and Curtis Jones started, of course, as did Caoimhin Kelleher, who stepped in for Alisson Becker in goal.
And there was a first Reds start for Luke Chambers too. The Preston-born defender, who has been with the club since the age of six, made his senior bow in the Carabao Cup win over Leicester City last month, but here he acquitted himself well as he was given just over an hour to impress.
His replacement was another teenager, 18-year-old Calum Scanlon, while Jarell Quansah made his sixth appearance of 2023-24 and in the closing stages 19-year-old midfielder James McConnell also came on to make his professional debut.
Nunez’s name rings out
On another day he might have had a hat-trick but Nunez certainly impacted this game with another all-action performance.
The Uruguayan did get himself on the scoresheet, finishing emphatically on his left foot to make it 3-1 after 34 minutes - his fifth goal of the season in all competitions.
He had earlier been denied by a good save from Restes in the Toulouse goal, and he could only smile after Liverpool’s fourth goal, scored by Gravenberch. Nunez himself had looked set to score, but hit the post after rounding the goalkeeper.
He was replaced soon after, the Kop chanting his name as he departed. No hat-trick, but another positive display from the 24-year-old.
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