LiveScore Daily: Salah fit to start Sparta Prague second leg

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Salah set for start

Jurgen Klopp says Mohamed Salah is fit to start Liverpool's Europa League last-16 second-leg tie with Sparta Prague at Anfield tomorrow.

The Egyptian made his return from injury during last week's first leg before also featuring off the bench in Sunday's 1-1 Premier League draw with Manchester City.

But he is expected to feature from the off against the Czech visitors as the Reds look to see out their 5-1 aggregate lead.

Klopp said: "It was impossible he could play longer in the last game. It's important that we build up Mo.

"He's ready. Not for 90 minutes but he's ready.

"He was out for an unsurprisingly long time. But now he is back and we have to make sure we can count on him consistently again."

Opportunity knocks

Unai Emery is keen for his side to grasp the opportunity to qualify for the Europa Conference League quarter-finals against Ajax tomorrow.

The Villans drew 0-0 in Amsterdam in last week's first leg, meaning any victory would be enough to see them through.

And he insists the club's supporters will be key to their chances at Villa Park.

He said: "We have to try to transmit our style, our idea and our skills as well.

"It's a very good opportunity tomorrow to get a good feeling with our supporters.

"We have to try to connect with them, transmitting their energy. The supporters are excited and motivated, like me, and like the players, to be in Europe."

Muscle memory

West Ham boss David Moyes knows his side face a tough challenge as they aim to overcome a 1-0 aggregate deficit against Freiburg in the Europa League last 16.

The Hammers trail after the away tie last week but beat the German side home and away during the group stage.

And their boss is intent on ensuring another victory.

He said: "It's a big task but we have done it before and hopefully we will do it again. 

"We have played Freiburg three times this season now. We have to try and get a victory from it.

"We all know what the outcome has to be. Whether we win in 90 minutes or whether we win after 120 minutes, we have to do it one way or the other."

Arteta denies insult

Arsenal sources have denied Mikel Arteta insulted Porto manager Sergio Conceicao's family during Arsenal's penalty shootout win in the Champions League last 16, report Sky Sports.

Conceicao clashed with the Gunners boss at the Emirates, with Arteta refusing to publicly comment on what was said.

But his adversary was clear in his mind about what happened.

He said: "Arteta turned to the bench during the game and insulted my family in Spanish.

"I told him that the person he insulted is no longer among us.

"It must be a Spanish coach thing because it was the same thing with [Pep] Guardiola — he insulted my family."

Fairytale continues

Third-tier Saarbrucken are into the DFB-Pokal semi-finals after beating Bundesliga outfit Borussia Monchengladbach 2-1.

Kai Brunker was the hero, netting in stoppage time to seal a third victory over top-flight opposition for the minnows, who have also beaten Bayern Munich and Eintracht Frankfurt on this run.

Brunker said: "It's just crazy, I'm mega happy.

"I'm so ridiculously proud of every single player. Mentality monsters."

They now play second-tier Kaiserslautern in the final four, with Bayer Leverkusen the only remaining Bundesliga side in the competition.

Manager Rudiger Ziehl said: "We simply didn’t want to concede in the second half and then to get a lucky punch. To do it is just crazy."

Wanted to stay

Left-back Ian Maatsen has revealed he planned to stay at Chelsea before joining Borussia Dortmund on loan in January.

The 22-year-old made 15 appearances for the Blues in the first half of the season before signing for the Bundesliga club.

But he was disappointed by his lack of playing time at Stamford Bridge.

He told The Guardian: "My plan was to stay at Chelsea.

"I thought I was ready to compete for the big clubs. But sometimes football works like this. I didn't get a lot of opportunities.

"Dortmund was the best solution for me. They have had players like [Jude] Bellingham, [Achraf] Hakimi, [Ousmane] Dembele. I am happy to be here."