Manager Brian Priske maintains that Sparta Prague will adopt an aggressive approach when they confront Liverpool in their Europa League return clash at Anfield. However, he concedes that his team is likely to be eliminated from the competition.
Liverpool holds a commanding position in the last-16 tie following their 5-1 victory over the Czech side at the Letna Stadium. Darwin Nunez scored a brace in the first half, with Alexis Mac Allister (from the penalty spot), Luis Diaz, and Darwin Nunez again finding the net for Jurgen Klopp’s squad.
Despite Sparta creating numerous chances in the first half, they struggled with composure in the final third, and Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher made several impressive saves.
With the upcoming fixture effectively being a formality, Priske finds solace in his team’s ability to generate chances against “one of the best teams in Europe” and intends to replicate that effort at Anfield.
He conveyed his message through the club’s website: “I told the team that in the end it is always my responsibility. I’m proud that the guys tried to play our football and didn’t focus on defending. That’s not our style of play. The players performed brilliantly, making good decisions in many ways and creating chances against one of the best teams in Europe. But from an individual point of view, we made too many mistakes, which will be punished by an opponent of this caliber. Despite the unfavorable result in the half, we did not let up and kept trying to score a goal.
“We will definitely not park the bus in front of our goal. But first we have to win on Sunday in Pilsen. Those players who will be concentrated and mentally and physically prepared for the next very difficult match of the Czech league will start. We will then try to get a good result in Liverpool, even though progressing to the next round will be very difficult. But we will definitely not defend.
“Darwin showed amazing quality. That’s why he also plays for one of the best clubs in the world. But they have more players of similar quality in their squad, which we have to respect. They came against us in full force and took the game against us seriously. They put all their strength into it, showing us respect. Our players had to face situations on the field that they do not know from regular matches. The difference between us and the leader of the Premier League table became apparent. As a result, I am sad that we let the opponent have so many chances and scored only one goal.”