Liverpool scored four goals in 14 minutes to beat Sparta Prague 6-1 and advance to the Europa League quarter-finals. AC Milan, Marseille, Roma and West Ham are among the teams that have also secured their spots in Friday’s quarter-final draw. Despite leading 5-1 from the first leg, Jurgen Klopp believes Liverpool are a surprisingly strong side and have been rewarded handsomely as the Reds remain on course for a quadruple title.

Darwin Nunez and 19-year-old Bobby Clark got Klopp’s side off to a strong start before Mohamed Salah made his first start for the club since January 1, his first of the season. 20 games.

Cody Gakpo struck in the fourth quarter as Liverpool breathed a temporary sigh of relief ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup tie away to Manchester United.

Wilko Burmancevic pulled a goal back for Sparta but Dominik Szoboszlai and Gakpo completed the rout in the second half.

“It was an amazing win and the first 15 minutes were amazing,” Gakpo said after the 11-2 aggregate win.

“That’s what we think. It shows the confidence in the team at the moment.”

West Ham fell behind Freiburg 1-0 in the first leg but fought back to reach the European quarter-finals for the third consecutive season.

Lucas Paqueta converted a corner kick at the far post and Jarrod Bowen turned the tide with a shot just before half-time.

Aaron Cresswell fired into the far corner and Mohammed Kudus took center stage to seal a record European win for David Moyes’ side .

The Ghanaian ran from deep inside his own half through the heart of Freiburg’s midfield and defense into the fourth area.

Kudus then scored from the edge of the box.

“Obviously we had two or three good individual players who helped us score,” Moyes said. “We won by five points and it was a really good performance.”

Brighton left themselves with too much to do, beating Roma 1-0 but unable to overturn a 4-0 deficit in the first leg.

Danny Welbeck scored the only goal as the Seagulls at least ended their first European season on a high note.

Benfica beat Rangers 1-0 in heavy rain in Glasgow to advance 3-2 on aggregate, ending Rangers’ hopes of another Europa League promotion.

With 24 minutes remaining, Rafa Silva coolly fired in from Angel Di Maria’s through ball, and the goal stood after it was initially flagged for offside.

Seven-time European champions AC Milan defeated 10-man Slavia Prague 3-1 to advance into the quarterfinals.

Three quick goals from Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Raphael Leao ended the game before half-time.

Villarreal ended Jean-Louis Gasset’s unbeaten run as Marseille manager, but a 3-1 victory in Spain was too little, too late for the Spaniards, who crashed out 5-3 on aggregate. .

That night, Atlanta defeated Sporting Lisbon 2-1 in Italy and advanced with a total score of 3-2.