The Uruguay international scored two superb goals as a clinical Liverpool side all but secured their passage to the next round of the tournament

Darwin Nunez stared as Liverpool enjoyed a 5-1 thumping win over Sparta Prague on Thursday to put themselves within touching distance of the Europa League quarter-finals.

That scoreline papered over a performance that, in truth, left something to be desired, such were their defensive deficiencies.

Alexis Mac Allister opened the scoring from the penalty spot, having won the spot-kick with a superb piece of individual pressing.

Nunez then added a second and a third with two brilliant strikes, the first coming from range, before he volleyed a finish into the bottom corner from just inside the box.

Despite the game appearing over, Sparta found a way back into the game from an unlikely source, as substitute Conor Bradley scored an own goal with his first touch in a rare woeful bit of defending from the youngster. However, Luis Diaz netted via a deflection shortly after to restore the Reds’ three-goal lead. Mohamed Salah, on as a substitute, thought he had added a fifth but his strike was disallowed by VAR, so it was left to Dominik Szoboszlai to score the fifth.

This was an erratic performance, overall, from the Reds and one characterised by big chances and open spaces for both teams to attack; Liverpool’s clinical edge ultimately proved the difference.

GOAL rates Liverpool’s players from ePet Arena…

Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & DefenceCaoimhin Kelleher (7/10):
Made a clutch of excellent saves as Prague continually pressed forward, again staking his claim as the best deputy goalkeeper in the Premier League. No chance with Bradley’s own goal.

Joe Gomez (5/10):

Superb goal-line clearance after Kelleher made a great reflex save but only after being caught wildly out of position. Had to make a couple of important blocks, but appeared somewhat uneasy at right-back and was subbed at half-time.

Jarell Quansah (5/10):

A little uneasy on the ball and often hared out of defence, leaving the line exposed. Calmed down once he was next to Van Dijk.

Ibrahima Konate (5/10):

Can look clumsy at times, even if he is brave, and was skinned more than once before his injury-enforced substitution. A clunky performance.

Andrew Robertson (5/10):

Liverpool’s most experienced campaigner but he seemed reluctant to push forward, maybe to keep the line under his control. Beaten a couple of times, but Sparta couldn’t make anything stick in the final third.