Liverpool through as Europa League group winners after dismantling Lask

Liverpool’s superiority over their Europa League opponents has never been in doubt, an off-night in Toulouse notwithstanding, and they sealed a place in the last 16 as group winners with a convincing defeat of Lask at Anfield.

Jürgen Klopp’s side delivered the victory they required and also got the result they needed from Toulouse against Union Saint-Gilloise to record a 10th successive home win in all competitions this season. Victory looked assured from the moment Luis Díaz headed home in the 12th minute. A brace from Cody Gakpo and the 199th goal of Mohamed Salah’s Liverpool career sealed passage to the knockout phase with something to spare.

Liverpool wasted little time in following Klopp’s instruction to qualify at Anfield rather than waiting until the final group game, away at Union Saint-Gilloise, when the “most intense period of the whole season” would be well under way. A place in the top two was in effect guaranteed inside 15 minutes against the outclassed Austrians.

There was nothing wrong with Lask’s ambitious approach given they had to win to retain any hope of reaching the last 16 but the gulf between the sides was evident every time Liverpool rampaged forward. Lask were constantly exposed at the back. It appeared almost too comfortable for Liverpool at times, given how often they took an extra touch in front of goal when a more ruthless approach was required. Not that the home side paid a price for over-elaboration.

Harvey Elliott was presented with a half chance following a lively start by the visitors but crowded out after delaying his shot. The midfielder atoned with a lovely first time assist for Gakpo, who had only goalkeeper Tobias Lawal to beat from Elliott’s flick over the Lask defence, but sliced horribly wide. A Liverpool breakthrough looked inevitable, however, and arrived moments later.

Wataru Endo was involved in both first-half goals and instigated the first with a pass out to Joe Gomez on the right. Both Salah and his marker, Andrés Andrade, missed the converted full-back’s measured cross but not Díaz, who launched himself at the ball and beat Lawal with a diving header. The Colombia international seemed more surprised than anyone else to score with his head.

Liverpool soon doubled their advantage when Endo found Salah lurking in far too much space from a Lask perspective. Liverpool’s captain for the night centred for Díaz who, just onside, was unable to take the shot but recovered to release Salah to the byline. The Egypt international crossed first time with the outside of his left foot to supply the unmarked Gakpo with a simple finish at the back post.

Lask were dangerous on the counter-attack, particularly through Moses Usor on their left, but rarely troubled Caoimhín Kelleher in the Liverpool goal. Lawal, by contrast, was grateful to reach the interval having conceded only two. Kostas Tsimikas thundered a shot against the crossbar following a weak defensive clearance while Gakpo, tireless on his return to the central striking role, just failed to connect with another Salah cross along the face of goal.

The visitors’ ponderous defending was best encapsulated by Liverpool’s third goal. Gakpo attempted to release a teammate behind Lask’s last line but, realising there was no red shirt running through, had time to chase after his own pass unopposed. Lawal came sprinting off his line to collect but took the man, not the ball, and conceded a clear penalty. Salah swept the spot-kick beyond a static keeper for his 44th goal in European competition for Liverpool. It was also his 199th goal in all competitions for the club but the 200th will have to wait. Salah was replaced by Curtis Jones minutes later as Klopp’s thoughts began to turn to Fulham’s visit in the Premier League on Sunday.

Gakpo struck a post from distance as Liverpool continued to create for fun while Lawal produced fine saves to deny Elliott and the substitute Darwin Núñez. Lask did threaten a consolation late on, breaking behind the home defence on several occasions, but solid interventions from Kelleher and Tsimikas plus some wayward finishing enabled Alisson’s stand-in to enjoy a clean sheet along with a comfortable victory.

A sweet stoppage time finish from Gakpo, who received a pass from the substitute Trent Alexander-Arnold before driving home his second of the game, sealed the night’s work.