Sparta Prague vs Liverpool: team news, kick-off, referee & TV

Liverpool haven't played in the Europa League for almost three months, but they will walk out on a chilly Thursday night once again this week as they travel to the Czech Republic to face Sparta Prague. 

The Reds skipped the ordeal of a last 32 tie with a Champions League dropout by topping what was a fairly straightforward group, moving straight into the last 16 of the competition.

Drawn against Czech champions Sparta Prague, Jurgen Klopp's side will potentially have one eye on a gargantuan Premier League clash with Manchester City this Sunday when they visit the epet Arena.

Liverpool have won six games on the bounce since defeat at Arsenal in February, but Sparta have also been in strong form, winning five of their seven games since returning from their winter break.

Here is your guide to Sparta Prague vs Liverpool this Thursday.

DATE, KICK-OFF, STADIUM, REFEREE AND VAR

• Date: Thursday, 7 February

• Kick-off time: 17:45 GMT / 12:45 ET /  09:45 PT

• Stadium: epet Arena

• Referee: TBC

• VAR: TBC

SPARTA PRAGUE VS LIVERPOOL HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD

Liverpool and Sparta have actually met before, clashing twice in the last 32 of the Europa League during the 2010/11 season.

During a much darker time for the Reds, Liverpool did manage to progress to the last 16 following a draw and a victory against the Czech side, even if it was far from convincing.

During Kenny Dalglish's second spell in charge of the Reds, Liverpool could only manage a goalless draw at the epet Arena in the first leg, with the likes of David N'Gog and Joe Cole unable to break down the Sparta defence.

It looked as if the second leg would end goalless as well, but Dirk Kuyt popped up with an 86th-minute winner to help the Reds progress - only to be knocked out by Braga in the next round.

Liverpool's only other competitive meetings with Czech opponents came in the 2000/01 UEFA Cup, the Reds beating Slovan Liberec twice en route to the trophy.

WHERE TO WATCH SPARTA PRAGUE VS LIVERPOOL ON TV & LIVE STREAM

As is the case for the rest of Liverpool's Europa League journey, the clash with Sparta Prague will be shown on TNT Sports and discovery+ in the United Kingdom.

That's the same in Ireland, while there a range of broadcasters across the rest of Europe, including DAZN and Viaplay, with the former also streaming the game in Canada.

The match will be shown on Paramount+ in the United States and Stan Sport in Australia, while ESPN and Star+ are broadcasting the event in South and Central America.

SuperSport are the main providers in Africa, while beIN Sports are the chief broadcasters across Asia.

You can get TV details for all of Liverpool's remaining fixtures this season in our one-stop guide.

LIVERPOOL TEAM NEWS

Liverpool seemingly came away from the trip to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League last Saturday with no fresh injury concerns, with Wataru Endo, Dominik Szoboszlai and Darwin Nunez all returning to action from the bench.

The latter netted the crucial last-minute winner against the Midlands side, although he may be among the players rested ahead of Man City's visit to Anfield on Sunday.

Mohamed Salah could return this week according to Klopp, but is also unlikely to feature against Sparta as Liverpool look to preserve him for the Man City game.

Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ryan Gravenberch, Curtis Jones, Diogo Jota, Joel Matip and Thiago are still sidelined, as are the young duo of Stefan Bajcetic and Ben Doak.

Of those, only Jones and Gravenberch could potentially return prior to the March international break.

SPARTA PRAGUE TEAM NEWS

Sparta have comparatively few injury concerns ahead of the Europa League last 16 opener, with the midfield duo of Jakub Pesek and David Pavelka sidelined for Liverpool's visit.

Angelo Preciado was sent off during Sparta's goalless draw with local rivals Slavia Prague at the weekend, but that suspension won't carry over into the Europa League.

LIVERPOOL PREDICTED LINEUP

Klopp has some selection headaches ahead of the trip to Sparta and will have to decide who strong he wishes to go for the trip to Prague.

With some only just returning from injuries and plenty of others absent, the boss will likely rest a fair few of his key players ahead of the crucial clash with Man City.

Klopp may show faith in his youngsters yet again, with the likes of Jarell Quansah, James McConnell, Bobby Clark and Kaide Gordon potentially starting.

However, there is likely to be a sprinkling of experience too, with Alexis Mac Allister, Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz all available to the Liverpool manager.

(4-3-3): Kelleher; Gomez, Konate, Quansah, Tsimikas; Mac Allister, McConnell, Clark; Gordon, Gakpo, Diaz. 

SPARTA PRAGUE VS LIVERPOOL SCORE PREDICTION

With Klopp keeping a close eye on the weekend, it's more or less impossible to predict how he will line his Liverpool side up at the epet Arena. The club's academy prospects have thrived since being drafted into the team, but they remain inexperienced on the big stage.

Sparta are a team that have shown their credentials in Europe this season with impressive displays against Galatasaray and Real Betis, with Liverpool having sometimes struggled in this season's competition when rotating heavily.

The Reds will likely be strong favourites regardless of what lineup they field, but a draw may not be a bad result.

Sparta Prague 1-2 Liverpool