“We’ve never faced something like this,” Sparta boss Brian Priske said after his side were beaten 11-2 on aggregate by Liverpool on Thursday in the Europa League last 16. “Liverpool is a Champions League team and they should be playing in the Champions League.”
Priske’s side were undoubtedly out of their depth at Anfield but Liverpool capitalised in a fashion only they can. There were shades of the 7-1 demolition of Man Utd at Anfield last season. Erik ten Hag’s side looked out of their depth that day too.
Liverpool weren’t favourites before that game because of an uncharacteristically poor campaign – which is why they’re in the Europa League – yet they found themselves at the right time to show the form that has them in a title race this season.
