"Klopp is cooking", "Could have been 9-4" - Twitter explodes as dominant Liverpool clinch Group E with victory vs LASK in the UEL

Liverpool FC v LASK: Group E - UEFA Europa League 2023/24
A comfortable night for Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool.

Liverpool cruised to a 4-0 win against LASK on Thursday (November 30) night, sealing their place in the UEFA Europa League last 16 as Group E winners.

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp opted for somewhat of a strong side to face the Austrian outfit. The likes of Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz, and Ibrahima Konate all started for the Merseysiders at Anfield.

Klopp's men made an excellent start to the game and got themselves in front in the 12th minute. Diaz combined well with Joe Gomez as the Merseysiders ventured forward. The English defender sent an asking cross into LASK's box which the Colombian forward managed to guide home off the back of his head.

Liverpool took just three minutes to score their second and Cody Gakpo grabbed his first Europa League goal of the season. The Dutch attacker was left unmarked at the back post as Salah sent a low-driven cross into his path and he finished if off.

Konstantinos Tsimkas nearly scored a sensational goal in the 32nd minute when his effort rattled off the frame of the goal. The Greek left-back's fierce effort beat LASK's Austrian goalkeeper Tobias Lawal but failed to hit the net.

The Reds were purring and could have been out of sight before the break. They eventually did find their third in the 51st minute after being awarded a penalty.

Gakpo poked the ball forward and ran onto it as Lawal rushed out and clipped the former PSV Eindhoven attacker. Swiss referee Urs Schnyder pointed to the spot and Salah made no mistake, firing in his 199th goal as a Liverpool player.

Klopp's men sought a fourth goal but the woodwork came to LASK's rescue again three minutes later. Gakpo struck from long range and his impressive effort clipped the post.

However, Gakpo bagged a brace and his side's fourth in the 90+4th minute, showing real composure in the opposition box. He unleashed a fine strike past Lawal to put the icing on the cake.

One fan enjoyed the football played by Klopp's Reds:

"This is beautiful football. Klopp is cooking."

Another fan reckons the scoreline could have been much bigger:

"Could have been 9-4. Credit to the LASK supporters though, very vocal!"

Here's how fans on X (formerly Twitter) reacted to Liverpool's win over LASK:


Michael Owen reckons Wataru Endo will be disappointed not to be Liverpool's first-choice holding midfielder

Wataru Endo has failed to nail down a place in Jurgen Klopp's starting XI.
Wataru Endo has failed to nail down a place in Jurgen Klopp's starting XI.

Liverpool icon Michael Owen has suggested Wataru Endo may be disappointed not making the Reds' holding midfield role his own thus far. The Japanese midfielder arrived at Anfield in the summer from Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart for a reported fee of €20 million.

Endo has started just two Premier League games, with Klopp preferring Alexis Mac Allister in high-pressure matches. The Japan captain has made 16 appearances across competitions, scoring one goal and providing one assist.

Owen opined that the 30-year-old may be frustrated with his situation. He said (via The Mirror):

"I would guess that he'll be slightly disappointed at the moment. There's no natural sitting central midfielder really in that Liverpool squad bar him. Yet they're moving Mac Allister into that position in the big games, So I'd say he's probably a little bit disappointed he hasn't made that position his own."

Endo was signed as Fabinho's replacement after the Brazilian midfielder left for Saudi Pro League giants Al-Ittihad. He has big shoes to fill given his predecessor enjoyed five successful years on Merseyside.

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