Liverpool continued their perfect start in the Europa League group stage with a convincing 5-1 win over Toulouse at Anfield on Friday. The Reds scored five goals from nine shots on target, with Diogo Jota, Wataru Endo, Darwin Nunez, Ryan Gravenberch and Mohamed Salah all finding the net.
Jota opens the scoring for Liverpool
The hosts took the lead in the ninth minute when Jota ran through the centre of the Toulouse defence and calmly slotted the ball past goalkeeper Baptiste Reynet. It was Jota’s third goal in three Europa League games this season.
Toulouse equalised seven minutes later when Thijs Dallinga beat the offside trap and fired a low shot past Caoimhin Kelleher. The Dutch striker scored his second goal in the competition, after netting against Union SG in the previous match.
Endo and Nunez put Liverpool in control
Liverpool regained their lead in the 57th minute when Endo scored his first goal for the club with a superb diving header from a Curtis Jones cross. The Japanese midfielder, who joined Liverpool from Stuttgart in the summer, impressed with his energy and creativity.
Nunez made it 3-1 four minutes later with a powerful shot at the near post from a Harvey Elliott pass. The Uruguayan striker, who also arrived at Anfield in the summer from Benfica, scored his fourth goal in three Europa League games.
Gravenberch and Salah seal the victory for Liverpool
Gravenberch added a fourth goal for Liverpool in the 65th minute when he rounded Reynet and slotted into an empty net, after Nunez had hit the post from close range. The Dutch midfielder, who signed from Ajax in the summer, scored his first goal for the club.
Salah completed the rout in stoppage time with a stunning strike that bounced off the crossbar and into the goal. The Egyptian winger came off the bench to score his sixth goal of the season in all competitions.
Liverpool top Group E with maximum points
The win sees Liverpool move six points clear at the top of Group E with nine points from three games. Toulouse are third with four points, behind Union SG on goal difference. LASK are bottom with zero points.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp praised his team’s performance and said he was happy with the rotation of his squad. He said: “It was a very good game from us. We played with intensity and quality. We scored some great goals and we defended well. I’m very pleased with how we managed the game.”
Toulouse coach Carles Martinez admitted his team were outclassed by Liverpool and said they need to improve their defensive discipline. He said: “We knew it would be a tough game against one of the best teams in Europe. We tried to play our game, but we made too many mistakes and they punished us. We need to learn from this experience and work harder.”
