4 Sparta Prague players Liverpool must be wary of in Europa League last 16

Liverpool return to European action this Thursday but the Reds may have one eye elsewhere.

The Reds kick off their Europa League knockout journey with a trip to Sparta Prague in the last 16, a fixture which looks fairly routine on paper for the recent Carabao Cup champions. However, with a tantalising and crucial clash with Manchester City in the Premier League wedged in between the two legs, Jurgen Klopp may have a few selection dilemmas ahead of him.

Liverpool still have an extensive injury list to contend with and a must-win match-up with Man City means focus could be lost travelling to the epet Arena. Sparta are the reigning Czech champions and progressed from a group that contained the likes of Real Betis and Rangers before conquering Champions League dropouts Galatasaray in the last 32.

The Prague side cannot be underestimated given the blows they have delivered to other sides in the Europa League this term, and they boast some talented players that will Liverpool will need to be wary of in the last 16.

Lukas Haraslin

Sparta's top scorer in all competitions this season with 14, Lukas Haraslin will prove a tough test for Conor Bradley or Joe Gomez at right-back. The left winger, who spent some time with Serie A side Sassuolo, stands fairly tall for a wide man at 5'11, but has a real eye for goal when cutting into central areas.

The 32-cap Slovakia international has produced three goals in his five appearances since the end of the winter break in the Czech Republic, capping an eye-catching performance against Galatasaray in the last 32 second leg by getting on the scoresheet.

His strike against the Turkish giants took his tally to three in this season's Europa League, adding to a winner against Real Betis in the group stage and a goal at Ibrox against Rangers.

Veljko Birmancevic

Another tricky winger for Liverpool to keep close tabs on, Veljko Birmancevic is capable of playing on either flank for Sparta. He's put up some impressive numbers for the Czech side this season, producing 11 goals and ten assists across all competitions.

The Serbian international is actually on loan from Liverpool's group stage opponents Toulouse this season - although he will join Sparta permanently this summer - and is sometimes deployed as an attacking midfielder by manager Brian Priske.

The first clash with Liverpool comes two days after his 26th birthday, with the attacker hoping for a late present.

Ladislav Krejci

Sparta's captain and rock at the heart of their defence, Ladislav Krejci will be looking forward to a battle with some incredible attackers in the last 16. The 24-year-old has kept eight clean sheets in the Fortuna Liga this season from just 16 appearances, but he will also prove a threat in the Liverpool box as well.

Krejci has scored eight goals from central defence already this season - alongside three assists - and bagged a brace against Aris Limassol in the Europa League group stage. Despite not being the tallest centre-back, he has an incredible goalscoring record, with 41 in 135 matches for the club - albeit some of those have come from the penalty spot.

However, with two red cards to his name already this term, he could also cause Sparta a few problems.

Jan Kuchta

Sparta are the joint top scorers in the Fortuna Liga this season for a reason, with the club boasting plenty of firepower up top. The Czech side have also scored in every single Europa League game so far, with Liverpool needing to be wary of their attacking potential, especially given the Reds haven't kept a clean sheet on the road in the competition.

Jan Kuchta is another forward that Klopp will need to be cautious of, with the number nine having scored ten goals and laid on eight assists for teammates this term. The 27-year-old, who used to play for Sparta's rivals Slavia Prague, will offer an outlet up top, and is an accomplished finisher and creator.

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