The Reds opened the scoring in the 12th minute when the lively Diaz exchanged a long-range one-two with Joe Gomez before heading into the corner from 10 yards out. The Colombian international was influential in the build-up to the second just three minutes later and after a jinking run, he fed the ball to Salah, who put it on a plate for Gakpo two yards out from goal. The Egyptian star made it 3-0 in the 51st minute from the spot after Gakpo was taken out by LASK goalkeeper Tobias Lawal to score his 199th goal for the Merseyside outfit.
Gakpo capped off a sparkling display with a rifled shot in second-half stoppage time to make it 4-0 as Jurgen Klopp’s men advanced to the knockout stages of the Europa League.
90minsoccer rates Liverpool’s players from Anfield
Goalkeeper & Defence
Caoimhin Kelleher (7/10):
Made a couple of excellent stops on the few occasions he was called upon. Impressed in the absence of the injured Alisson.
Joe Gomez (7/10):
Put in a lovely cross for Liverpool’s opener and was solid in attack. Moved into the centre of defence in the second half after starting at right-back was rarely troubled.
Ibrahima Konate (6/10):
Was troubled a couple of times by the pacey Moses Usor and didn’t look all that comfortable at keeping him under wraps.
Jarell Quansah (6/10):
Like Konate, was caught out on occasion by Usor and his positioning was questionable but the 20-year-old was competent enough at the back in a rare start.
Kostas Tsimikas (7/10):
Fired in some dangerous crosses into the box and was unlucky not to score a stunning strike, only for his piledriver to crash off the crossbar.
Midfield
Ryan Gravenberch (6/10):
Wasn’t quite at his fluent, free-flowing best but he didn’t need to be as Liverpool won the midfield battle.
Wataru Endo (7/10):
Was a bit sloppy early on but grew into the contest as it progressed. The pick of Liverpool’s midfielders.
Harvey Elliott (6/10):
Had a fairly quiet game but popped up every now and again with some neat touches and tidy interplay. Some of his passing was a bit errant, though.
Attack
Mohamed Salah (8/10):
LASK couldn’t deal with his pace and trickery all night and took his 199th goal for the club with a coolly taken penalty.
Cody Gakpo (8/10):
The Dutchman put in an industrious performance, full of quality and selflessness for the team, plus he deservedly got a goal for his troubles.
Luis Diaz (8/10):
Continued his impressive recent form with an energetic and effective performance. Took his goal with aplomb and was a constant threat. The winger has been in remarkable form considering what he has been through in recent weeks and that may be needed with Diogo Jota’s injury.
Subs & Manager
Trent Alexander-Arnold (7/10):
Did his defensive duties well and got forward at every opportunity and got a nice assist for Gakpo’s second.
Darwin Nunez (7/10):
Caused chaos in the opposition’s defence but was unable to beat the keeper from a number of efforts.
Curtis Jones (7/10):
Got stuck in in midfield and created a number of chances in his cameo.
Conor Bradley (N/A):
No time to make an impact
Luke Chambers (N/A):
Came on late on in the contest.
Jurgen Klopp (7/10):
Rang the changes following the 1-1 draw with Manchester City at the weekend but the Reds still looked a cohesive unit. His substitutes were dangerous but couldn’t add to the total.
