Source: Daily_Mail
Sparta Prague v Liverpool live
Follow Sportsmail's coverage of the Europa League where Liverpool travel to Sparta Prague in the first leg of their last 32 clash. It's Kenny Dalglish's first ever European game in charge of the Reds and he will hope to grab a positive result to take back to Anfield. Email me your thoughts on the action at dan.ripley@dailymail.co.uk[LNB] Sparta Prague 0-0 Liverpool (8.05pm) Sparta Prague: Blazek, Kusnir, Repka,Brabec, Pamic, Keric (Sionko 73),Vacek, Kadlec (Zeman 89), Matejovsky (Pekhart 90+2), Abena, Kweuke.Subs:Zitka, Podany, Bondoa, Husek.[LNB]Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Wilson, Kuyt, Lucas,Maxi, Aurelio (Cole 37), Ngog (Skrtel 83), Meireles.Subs: Gulacsi, Pacheco, Jovanovic,Kelly, Coady.[LNB]Referee: Florian Meyer (Germany) [LNB]22.02: 'Wasn't a classic' I think flatters that one but Liverpool are looking good to progress to the last 16.[LNB]They will have to be wary of Sparta Prague scoring an away goal in the return leg at Anfield but if tonight is anything to go by that should not be much of a concern.[LNB]As I said before, the winner of this tie faces Lech Poznan or Braga in the next round and with Poznan winning 1-0 in Poland, they will now travel to Portugal in the second leg to see the tie out.[LNB]For now that is all from me thank you for following, good night.[LNB]22.00: I guess King Kenny is best to sum up the result:[LNB]'It wasn't a classic by any means. The onus was on them to put some pressure on us and I don't think they caused us too many problems.[LNB]We had a couple of chances but 0-0 is a fair result and I'm happy with that.'[LNB]21.57: As for Liverpool it's not a bad result by any means but they just never got going this evening.[LNB]Johnson was probably the visitors best player but that is exclusive to his attacking play, he didn't have his best night at the back but then he didn't have to do much defending.[LNB]21.55: Full-time at Ibrox, huge disappointment for Rangers who will need at least a score draw in Lisbon to progress to the last 16.[LNB]21.53: What a late chance for Rangers! Lafferty is through on goal but with just the keeper to beat can't find a way past with a low effort that Rui Patricio does superb to tip away to safety.[LNB]Full-time: Sparta Prague 0-0 Liverpool[LNB]90+2min: Final sub from Prague as former Tottenham striker Tomas Pekhart is on for Matejovsky.[LNB]90+1min: Three minutes added on but at Ibrox...[LNB]GOAL! Rangers 1-1 SPORTING LISBON[LNB]What a crucial goal in the context of this game. Joao Pereira's cross is headed in to the corner by substitute Fernandez and the momentum of that tie has massively swung.[LNB]90min: Vaclav Kadlec is replaced by Martin Zeman[LNB]89min: Prague are doing all the pressing now, and knowing they might get hammered at Anfield are just looking to try and steal a goal lead for the second leg.[LNB]They are by all means not looking desperate for it though.[LNB] Out in the cold: Joe Cole (left) once again struggled to make an impact[LNB] [LNB]86min: Few boos for Skrtel when he gets the ball. Being Slovakian he is not a popular chap around these parts.[LNB]85min: Best shot of the match, 25 yards out Vacek rifles in an effort that just flashes wide of the post. Reina looked well beaten as he dived across. [LNB]83min: That I am surprised about. Dalglish has brought on Martin Skrtel for Ngog. Looks like he is happy with a 0-0 draw after all.[LNB]79min: Maniche has just gone off for Sporting Lisbon, and goodness me he looks a shadow of his former self.[LNB]Still though I will never forget his incredible strike for Portugal against Holland in Euro 2004.[LNB]76min: Back underway though and Liverpool nearly pay for a slip in concentration. Prague win a corner and after Kweuke wins the low ball in the box, he swivels and shoots forcing Reina to dive low to his left to save and impressivley hold on.[LNB]74min: Hmm a slight delay in play in Prague as a huge cloud of smoke has swept over the pitch making half the pitch completely invisible.[LNB]73min: Sub for Prague, who take off Andrej Keric for Libor Sionko.[LNB]73min: Highlight of the half. Like a player waiting to serve at Wimbledon Reina has the option of three balls to take a goal kick. He looks spoilt for choice and being as bored as he is does actually weigh up his options on what one is in better condition.[LNB]70min: Chance for Johnson who makes trademark cut inside the box before clipping a shot just wide across goal.[LNB] Headmaster: Steven Whittaker heads Rangers in front[LNB]69min: GOAL! RANGERS 1-0 Sporting Lisbon[LNB]Steven Whittaker from a corner powers the hosts in front with a towering header after 66 minutes, on the balance of play that is deserved too.[LNB]67min: Handball from Joe Cole, and for a man who is meant to be quite handy for ball control that was very clumsy and Prague have a free-kick 40 yards out.[LNB]But it is booted straight in to the hands of Reina and that is a huge waste.[LNB]65min: Cynical play from Lisbon, Vladimir Weiss is on a surging run through the middle of the park before being pulled back in desperation by Daniel Carrico.[LNB]Unsurprisingly he is booked, but from 20 yards out Rangers do not threaten from the free-kick.[LNB]62min: Good effort. Kamil Vacek's cross into the box looks an awkward angle for Kweuke, but he manages to adjust his body well and diverts his header just wide of the post. Kyrgiakos caught ball watching there.[LNB]59min: Better from Liverpool. Johnson manages to keep in Lucas' over hit cross and after twisting and turning his marker chips in a cross from the blyline that is just too high for Ngog's head.[LNB]57min: I will be surprised if Repka does not get sent off in this game. After another unfair challenge the referee appears to give him a final warning...though I thought that was what a yellow card was for.[LNB]54min: Liverpool with all the ball but still no threat to go with it, at Ibrox Whittaker went close just after the restart with a low shot well saved by Rui Patricio.[LNB]51min: While there is absolutely NOTHING going on, it's worth saying at this point the winner of this tie will meet either Lech Poznan or Braga in the next round.[LNB]Poznan currently lead 1-0 at home.[LNB] Heads up: Ngog (back) wins a four way tussle for a header[LNB]48min: Like the first half, Liverpool with plenty of the early ball but no threat with it. I don't think Blazek has touched the ball with his gloves in this game.[LNB]21.05: Second-half: No additional changes from either side as Prague get us going again...or at least try to.[LNB]21.02: I will admit, a draw is not a bad result for Liverpool but like I said with Manchester City, surely an away goal would be a nice sweetener.[LNB]20.59: I really do hope Liverpool up their game in the second half. Having just watched the Benfica-Stuttgart game before this is a massive come down.[LNB]20.54: And it's now half-time in Glasgow too.[LNB]20.52: Rangers having a good spell themselves and just as El Hadji Diouf thinks he has won a free-kick 20 yards out - he finds he has been booked for simulation, slightly harsh maybe but he does go down a bit too easily.[LNB]20.51: Not a classic by any stretch of the imagination. Liverpool have had more of the ball but Prague have had the better chances (if you want to call them that).[LNB]Half-time: Sparta Prague 0-0 Liverpool[LNB]42min Half-chance for Prague, but Leony Kweuke can only header wide at the near post under pressure from Sotirios Kyrgiakos.[LNB] Outgoing Post: Rangers defender Madjid Bougherra slides in on Lisbon's Helder Postiga[LNB]39min: I Should have put a bet on it. Repka is the first player booked after he and Ngog square up following a tussle over the bar. Rather Ngog than me, Repka's eyes are bulging with anger, but the Liverpool striker is harshly done by in his role by receiving a booking himself.[LNB]37min: Cole is indeed on for Aurelio who does indeed go off down the tunnel with medical stuff.[LNB]Moments later he nearly makes an instant impact, feeding Ngog inside the box who is prevented from getting a clean shot in by the onrushing Jaromir Blazek.[LNB]36min: First proper scare for Liverpool. Matejovsky skips through a number of defenders before laying off to Pamic whose shot from 18 yards looks to be heading for the bottom corner before it is blocked clear.[LNB]35min: Looks like Joe Cole is getting ready to come on, strange nobody looks injured.[LNB] Veteran: Repka (centre) clears under pressure from Ngog[LNB]34min: Brilliant chance for Rangers, Lafferty is first to a Steven Whittaker cross but can only send his powerful header a fraction over the bar.[LNB]31min: Sums up the half. Aurelio pings a long diagonal ball that is not anywhere near a Liverpool player as it bounces out for a throw in.[LNB]28min: Penalty shout for the home side, Ondrej Kusnir evades a Maxi Rodriguez challenge before going down under the slightest touch from Aurelio.[LNB]Referee waves play on and it's the correct decision, Repka though as you may expect does not look too pleased.[LNB]He looks like the kind of guy that would start an argument with himself.[LNB]26min: The game had hit a new lull and I am pretty certain we are still awaiting our first shot on target. That Pamic chance was heading wide.[LNB]23min: I think Liverpool are missing a trick here, they should really try and up the tempo of this game as their less fit opponents are bound to tire quicker.[LNB]Having said that the foul count lies 5-1 to the home side, indicating they are not interested in a free flowing game.[LNB]21min: In fact Postiga has just gone very close to scoring, turning inside the penalty box under pressure to snap a shot that flies across the goal and just wide.[LNB]20min: No major action as yet at Ibrox where 18 minutes have passed. A certain Helder Postiga is in action for Lisbon, remember him Tottenham fans?[LNB] Kung-Fu fighting: Liverpool's Glen Johnson (left) challenges a high loose ball with Prague's Marek Matejovsky[LNB]18min: Super play from the home side. Pamic sneaks in behind Johnson on the left and his shot across goal is well parried to safety by Pepe Reina. Johnson was well asleep there.[LNB]16min: Prague coming back into this. They open up Liverpool on the left but Manuel Pamic's cross is cleared behind by Glen Johnson.[LNB]14min: Corner for Liverpool, Raul Meireles' cross is headed away by Repka, no signs that he has mellowed since his Upton Park days by the way.[LNB]13min: An error from Repka allows David Ngog to receive the ball on the edge of the box but under a weak challenge he goes down far too easily and the home side clear.[LNB]11min: All pass without purpose from Liverpool. Neither keeper has yet to make a save and everyone inside this ground is twiddling their thumbs and blowing their cheeks out.[LNB]8min: The ground is full but not a lot of atmosphere is going around it, the fans like the game slightly flat at the moment.[LNB]5min: Liverpool win a free-kick 40 yards out but Fabio Aurelio's ball into the box evades everyone before going out for a goal kick.[LNB]4min: Still all Liverpool on the ball and the home fans are getting frustrated as they start whistling and booing. [LNB]I don't blame them I actually don't think their side has had a touch.[LNB]2min: Rangers are also underway as Liverpool knock it around early on, as if to give everyone an early touch.[LNB]Kick-off: Liverpool get us going[LNB]19.59: West Ham fans take note. A certain Tomas Repka starts this evening.[LNB]The defender made 188 appearances between 2001-2006 for the Hammers though I have to say my only memory of him was getting an average of two red cards per game...if you catch my drift.[LNB]He is 37 now too, surely past it.[LNB]19.56: Plenty of fans in the ground this evening, as you expect Liverpool fans in big numbers to support their team in Europe.[LNB]They love a good trip around Europe.[LNB]19.53: Still hard to believe that this is King Kenny's first game in charge of Liverpool.[LNB]Still no time like the present and this competition gives Dalglish a good chance to settle some unfinished business from his first era at the club.[LNB] Back in the day: West Ham's Nigel Winterburn holds back Tomas Repka from berating a linesman[LNB]19.50: I know it takes time to get going but once you weed out the weaker teams, the Europa League really does come alive for me.[LNB]I know Manchester City had us reaching for caffeine hits on Tuesday, but having just watched an excellent game where Benfica have come from behind to defeat Stuttgart, I have high hopes for this encounter.[LNB]19.47: So to turn the tables a bit are Liverpool under pressure to take the game to their opponents? Sparta Prague not going to have the same levels of match fitness than Dalglish's side after all.[LNB]19.45: A daunting task this evening for Liverpool as Sparta Prague are unbeaten in all competitions stretching back four months...[LNB]...I will concede though the Czech side haven't played for the last two.[LNB]19.42: Kyle Lafferty is handed the role of lone striker as Rangers make three changes from their 6-0 win over Motherwell for the visit of Sporting Lisbon in the Europa League.[LNB]As well as Lafferty, Richard Foster and Maurice Edu are both added to the team, with Kyle Bartley dropping to the bench.[LNB]Pre-match injury doubt Steven Naismith is also named among the substitutes, while Nikica Jelavic is ineligible for the European clash.[LNB]El-Hadji Diouf makes his European debut for Rangers playing just behind Lafferty.[LNB]19.39: From Ibrox:[LNB]Rangers v SportingRangers: McGregor, Foster, Bougherra, Weir, Papac, Whittaker, Edu, Davis, Weiss, Diouf, Lafferty. Subs: Alexander, Fleck, Naismith, Healy, Bartley, Ness, Hutton.Sporting: Rui Patricio, Joao Pereira, Daniel Carrico, Anderson Polga, Evaldo, Mendes, Maniche, Zapater, Cristiano, Postiga, Djalo. Subs: Tiago, Carlos Saleiro, Fernandez, Andre Santos, Diogo Solomao, Coelho, Vukcevic.Referee: Manuel Grafe (Germany)[LNB]19.36: Not just Liverpool in action of course, Rangers also kick-off at 8.05pm (those five minutes still wind me up) at home to Sporting Libson and I will bring you major updates of that game too.[LNB]19.33: Kenny Dalglish makes three changes for his first European match as Liverpool manager against Sparta Prague in the Czech Republic, but there is no sign of teenage sensation Raheem Sterling in the squad.[LNB]Centre-backs Sotirios Kyrgiakos and Danny Wilson replace Martin Skrtel and Martin Kelly - both dropping to the bench - with David Ngog replacing the ineligible Luis Suarez up front for the first leg of the last 32 clash.[LNB]Sterling, scorer of five goals in the 9-0 FA Youth Cup victory over Southend on Monday, does not make the match squad but there is a place for fellow youngster Conor Coady, 18 next week.[LNB]19.30: So last but by no means least, it's Liverpool's turn to fly the Premier League flag in Europe in what has been a brilliant week so far for English clubs.[LNB]In the Champions League, Tottenham and Arsenal overcome big odds to win their respective matches against AC Milan and Barcelona.[LNB]While in the Europa League Manchester City opened the week by avoiding a slip up against Aris in Grece. Liverpool's job will be just as difficult this evening against a side from the Czech Republic who are tough to beat at home.[LNB]As they lineup:[LNB]Sparta Prague v LiverpoolSparta Prague: Blazek, Kusnir, Repka, Brabec, Pamic, Keric,Vacek, Kadlec, Matejovsky, Abena, Kweuke. Subs: Zitka, Podany, Sionko, Bondoa, Zeman, Husek, Pekhart.Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Wilson, Kuyt, Lucas, Maxi, Aurelio, Ngog, Meireles. Subs: Gulacsi, Cole, Pacheco, Jovanovic, Kelly, Coady, Skrtel.Referee: Florian Meyer (Germany)[LNB] Preparation: Liverpool players train in Prague ahead of their last 32 clash[LNB] Liverpool sensation Sterling casts spell on Dalglish after Europa callEmotions run high as Kenny leads Liverpool on Europe missionSterling rate set to soar! Liverpool have a five-star secret weapon in RaheemAll the latest Liverpool news, features and opinion[LNB] Explore more:People: Kenny Dalglish, Martin Skrtel, David Ngog, Martin Kelly, Kyle Lafferty, Fabio Aurelio, Pepe Reina, Glen Johnson, Joe Cole, El Hadji Diouf Places: Prague, Barcelona, Lisbon, Glasgow, Germany, Czech Republic, Portugal, The Netherlands, Poland, Europe
