Report as Ryan Gravenberch stars in convincing Europa League win for Liverpool at Anfield; Wataru Endo headed in his first Liverpool objective with Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah additionally on the scoresheet; a victory within the subsequent recreation would verify Liverpool’s development

Jurgen Klopp praised Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo after Liverpool thrashed Toulouse 5-1 to maneuver one step nearer to the Europa League knockout part.

Gravenberch was the star of the present at Anfield as Liverpool received their third straight recreation within the competitors to create a five-point hole on the prime of Group E. The midfielder scored Liverpool’s fourth objective with 25 minutes to go after Darwin Nunez’s comical miss.

Asked about Gravenberch, Klopp informed TNT Sports: “I’m so happy for him that he starts really enjoying his football again. His first touch is incredible, his acceleration with the ball. He’s not even halfway there. The good thing is that he has a lot of things to improve.”

Diogo Jota opened the scoring 9 minutes in after an outstanding run however Toulouse fired again 5 minutes later by way of Thijs Dallinga. Endo headed in his first Liverpool objective on the half hour to place them again within the lead earlier than Nunez scored their third forward of the break. Mohamed Salah added a fifth off the bench in stoppage-time.

Klopp was additionally impressed by Endo who, if trusted in larger video games, might remedy Liverpool’s issues on the base of midfield. “He was really strong,” Klopp added. “He played a really good game, he broke the lines with his passing. [The goal is] a nice next step for him.”

Liverpool, who play Toulouse in France subsequent within the Europa League on November 9, would verify their development to the subsequent spherical with one other victory. If second-place Union SG, the Belgian membership part-owned by Brighton chairman Tony Bloom, had been to additionally drop factors then prime spot could be confirmed.

How Liverpool strolled previous Toulouse

Liverpool started the evening understanding a win would put them in touching distance of a spot within the knockout rounds of the Europa League. But they got here up in opposition to an formidable Toulouse aspect, whose house owners RedBird Capital are additionally minority shareholders within the Merseyside membership.

Jurgen Klopp’s aspect had been comparatively snug of their final two video games, beating LASK Linz and Union SG to prime the group, however had been maybe too laid again within the early phases. There was a battle to string something significant collectively till Jota offered a second of particular person brilliance.

The Portugal worldwide burst by way of the Toulouse defence, nutmegging Logan Costa, earlier than delivering a composed end to carry Anfield to its ft. Liverpool, who’ve by no means misplaced when Jota has scored, grew to become complacent after taking the lead although.

Toulouse struck on a swift counter as they beat Liverpool’s excessive line. Trent Alexander-Arnold, captaining his aspect, performed Dallinga onside and the Toulouse ahead sped by way of on objective, emphatically ending previous deputy goalkeeper Caohmin Kelleher after 16 minutes.

Klopp’s aspect had a slight wobble however Endo put them again heading in the right direction after half an hour along with his first objective for the membership, heading in Alexander-Arnold’s cross following a nook. Nunez, who had not scored in 4 video games for Liverpool, then smashed of their third on the entrance submit to place the hosts firmly in management.

Kelleher practically handed Toulouse a means again into the sport with a stray move however was given a reprieve when Gabriel Suazo shot straight at Alexander-Arnold in an in any other case open objective. Nunez then spared Suazo’s blushes with an much more embrassing second that summed up his chaotic Anfield profession thus far.

The Liverpool striker rounded Toulouse’s teenage goalkeeper Guillaume Restes however hit a submit with the objective open. Nunez couldn’t even watch as Gravenberch discovered the again of the web on the rebound, so appalling was his error. Salah put the ending touches on the win late on, with the job of qualification now practically full.

Klopp on Nunez miss: It was a little bit of slapstick however he is in a superb second

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp on Darwin Nunez’s second-half miss: “Honestly, in this moment, I couldn’t care less that he hits the post in that moment because everything before was super convincing, was absolutely clear, how he took the defender away, how he passed the goalie. It was a perfect situation.

“He performed actually good. The objective he scored, the scenario he was concerned in, dropping into midfield, staying on the ball, all these sort of issues. There had been numerous good issues and he’s in a superb second and that is for us clearly necessary.

“I’m really pleased for him with the performance. And yes, it’s a bit of slapstick that the ball doesn’t go in, and Ryan finished it off and it’s cool. But I said before the game he is a happy boy, or man, at the moment and you can see that every day and know we have to make sure that it stays like that.”

Klopp praises Gravenberch and Endo

Liverpool supervisor Jurgen Klopp chatting with TNT Sports: “You saw in the moments where it was difficult. Most of the time we were in complete control. We made good goals, nobody got hurt, perfect night. We could bring the kids on.”

Asked about Gravenberch, Klopp added: “He’s a good player. I’m so happy for him that he starts really enjoying his football again. His first touch is incredible, his acceleration with the ball. He’s not even halfway there. The good thing is that he has a lot of things to improve.”

On Endo’s objective, he mentioned: “He was really strong. He scored incredible goals for Stuttgart. He played a really good game, he broke the lines with his passing. A nice next step for him.”

What’s next?

Liverpool return to Premier League motion on Sunday once they host Nottingham Forest – kick-off 2pm.

Jurgen Klopp’s aspect then journey to Bournemouth on Wednesday for a Carabao Cup conflict – kick-off 7.45pm.

Toulouse’s subsequent recreation is away to Montpellier in Ligue 1 on Sunday – kick-off 2pm.