Liverpool hit six, Villa cruise past Ajax & Brighton out - reaction

SMS Message: It may be overlooked but Xabi Alonso has gone to the Andoni Iraola school of never giving up. What a turnaround! from Stephen

It may be overlooked but Xabi Alonso has gone to the Andoni Iraola school of never giving up. What a turnaround!

SMS Message: As much as the Conference League was berated, it does seem like it gives that little bit of extra joy to more fans in the Prem, it's nice. from Ethan

As much as the Conference League was berated, it does seem like it gives that little bit of extra joy to more fans in the Prem, it's nice.

More from Jurgen Klopp speaking to TNT Sports.

On the injuries to picked up in the second half: "I'm not sure what happened to Kostas, I'm sure that he will be fine though. For Bobby like I said he felt something, but it was intense for the boy, he was running around like crazy. Let's hope that's nothing.

"Besides that the subs for Joe [Gomez] was precaution, Wataru [Endo] was precaution, David was precaution. And Mo already recovered in the second half so all good.

On Mohammed Salah's fitness: "Mo is a very experienced player, I told him if he has to stay on then he may have to play the full game. He did and it was the first time I told someone to stop defending. He actually then nearly made another goal but Cody was offside. He's very experienced so he got easily over the line.

On Mateusz Musialowski's debut: "I don't care about statistics [of debuts handed out], Mateusz deserved it, you have to say it. He has trained a few weeks with us now, in and out, players develop differently. So he is an exceptional talent but we play football in a specific way. He gets it more and more and now I really think he is ready. That's why he got the minutes, he waited long enough and another great kid."

SMS Message: Xabi clearly given the team Klopp genes! Mentality monsters! from Mark

Xabi clearly given the team Klopp genes! Mentality monsters!

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp speaking to TNT Sports: "Yes absolutely we got rhythm and intensity. That is how we had to take it. I told the boys before the game that is how we approach it. I don't expect to come into the game and not go through, we do not expect to somehow lose 5-0.

"It was on us to decide how good a game it would be and obvsiously we enjoyed playing football, some fantastic goals as well early on. From that point on it becomes a difficult game, like how do you keep going? We did, and I liked a lot of stuff that I saw, but of course it is how it is. We had to bring it over the line somehow, scored some more goals in the second half, conceded one in the middle too.

"All fine, all good. We wanted to go through, we wanted to play well and score goals and we did that."

On Bobby Clark's first goal: "He played incredibly. It was his first goal but he won the ball back after another one. He is the one I am worried a bit about, we wanted to take off Mo [Salah], but Bobby sits on the ground and says he feels something in the ankle. Hopefully it is nothing. The steps the boy made though, pfff [wow].

"We've had such a difficult situation with all the injuries and then the boys stepped in and took their chances. So very happy with that, they were exceptional again."

Villa boss Unai Emery to TNT Sports: "We're happy, it was very important. We tried to connect with our supporters. After the first leg we were analysing with the players and we knew before the natch we needed to play better than we did there.

"The match was a bit slow in the first half. When we scored a second goal and they had a red card it was easier for us."

On Ollie Watkins' injury: "We don't know exactly what the [issue] is. Maybe for Sunday he could be available. Diego Carlos is something with his hamstring. Maybe he might not be available for Sunday.

"It's experience for us. Confidence. Trying to feel strong. We did it here with our supporters."

SMS Message: Of course no one wants to face Liverpool in the next round but this year no one wants to draw Leverkusen! Alonso adding resiliency and mental toughness on top of the very pretty football they play…will be very hard to beat over two legs or in the final. from Maddison

Of course no one wants to face Liverpool in the next round but this year no one wants to draw Leverkusen! Alonso adding resiliency and mental toughness on top of the very pretty football they play…will be very hard to beat over two legs or in the final.

SMS Message: Winning the ECL and top four in the league would be an incredible season for Villa! The brilliant Emery era continues... from Marc, optimistic and excited Villa fan

Winning the ECL and top four in the league would be an incredible season for Villa! The brilliant Emery era continues...

Ajax captain Jordan Henderson to TNT Sports: "Tough game. It's hard to stand here and put it into words straight after the game. We've been beaten quite easily in the end which is disappointing.

"I felt we were in the game at the end of the first half. We conceded a second goal which was poor on our behalf and then it's always tough at that point. To go 10 men it's very difficult to come back against a good side. Injuries and everything started to go wrong.

"If we'd kept it at 1-0 for longer we could have hurt them but we were well beaten in the end. Villa are a good side.

"I thought it [red card] was harsh but I won't make that as an excuse. It was a difficult moment for us. That's football. You have to deal with those things.

"Unfortunately it wasn't our night."

Brighton goal scorer Danny Welbeck to TNT Sports: "The lads gave 100%, it's difficult obviously with the first leg. Very difficult to take that defeat. We paid the price with the first leg. We knew we could get a result in front of the fans tonight but it was too much to do.

"We've got a lot of very good players that are out [injured] as well. With the squad, we have to be proud of ourselves and we did the best that we can do.

On his goal: "Nice to get the goal. Last week I got some good headers and the keeper made some good saves. It was nice to get that goal but tonight it's not enough."

On getting back into Europe: "We want to keep improving and progressing as a team and as a club. There's a great culture at the club."

"We're going to do our best to get back to playing in these competitions.

"Brighton [being in the Europa League] is historical, first time in Europe, bringing European football to Brighton was massive in itself but there are some steps we need to take to keep bring European football to Brighton."

Brighton have registered consecutive clean sheets in all competitions (also keeping one against Nottingham Forest at the weekend) for the first time since May 2023.

More from Liverpool's Conor Bradley speaking to TNT Sports:

On if it is surreal to play alongside academy players when getting into the first team: "I'd say it makes it an easier transition coming into the first team having so many of our young players, Harvey, Jarrell, Bobby, James McConnell. It definitely does help ease you into the team. I've been playing with them the whole way through the academy so to be playing with them now at Anfield is class, it is special.

On sharing the pitch with even younger players:"I see them every day and know how good they are so just tell them to be themselves. I tell them to play their own game and if they make a mistake, get on the ball again and try to make things happen.

On his own development in recent months: "Yeah I do. Sometimes I am asked to do different things, tonight I was asked to come more inside and play in a double pivot. I just enjoy learning and gaining the experienc. I just want to keep making myself better and hope it continues."

Liverpool full-back Conor Bradley speaking to TNT Sports: "A very good night. We started the game very well obviously, to get the four goals after ten or eleven minutes was really good and it was a really professinal performance.

On dealing with ups and downs this season: "When we found out the news about the manager it was hard to take. He is the only manager I've really known at this club. So for him to be leaving is sad, but now we just want to win every trophy we can for him and give him the best send off we can.

On thinking about a Quadruple: "No we don't think about it, We just keep ourselves focused on the next game. Keep playing well, keep the performances high and keep going.

On Bobby Clark's first goal: "I know for me scoring my first goal was a special feeling so I am sure it is the same for him. It was a great finish and I thought he played brilliantly. I am buzzing for him."

Aston Villa captain John McGinn to TNT Sports: "Great performance, a good reaction from the weekend. It stung us. A chance to get a European quarter-finals for the first time in a long time.

"A good night at Villa Park and I'm delighted with some of the players on the scoresheet. A bit of a worry with Ollie Watkins and Diego Carlos - we'll see how they are.

"Its going to lift us definitely. it's been a tough few days. We didn't perform in the big game.

"Tonight was a big game. A big reaction needed. We showed a reaction.

"It's up there [with his best nights at Villa]. We want to achieve more. Tonight we've given the fans one to remember but we don't want to stop here.

"We didn't want the journey to end tonight. Much better than the last two games for sure.

"I'm proud of them, it's been a tough few days. They need to rest up for Sunday."

Villa goalscorer Leon Bailey to TNT Sports: "Tonight was a brilliant night for the whole team and the fans. The atmosphere was brilliant.

"We're really happy with the result. We showed good character and spirit. We made it very difficult for them tonight.

"I was happy I could get the second goal, it was much needed.

"I've had a lot of discussions with the manager and he always tries to give me confidence. He always lets me know when I need to step up my game. I've been working with the staff members a lot in training about how to get more time on the ball and get more space.

"When I'm on the pitch I feel better in terms of my movement.

"It was difficult for me when I first came because I didn't have a pre-season. I kept trying to come back and getting injured.

"Since the manager came in a lot has changed for me. I feel more relaxed and have more energy.

"It's really paying off. Details, that's why things have been going so great.

"It's an exciting moment for everyone. We should all be proud of where we are. We've worked very hard to be where we are. Enjoy the moment and stay humble and hopefully we can move further."

On Ollie Watkins' injury: "It looked really bad when I saw it. It was an open wound. I didn't want him to come off but Jhon Duran did brilliantly. It was sad to see him come off."

Danny Welbeck netted his first goal for Brighton in European competition and his 13th overall, last finding the net in Europe for Arsenal against Sporting CP in October 2018 in the Europa League.

Liverpool aren't just sharing goals out amongst the front three, they're sharing them out amongst the whole team.

Xabi Alonso and his side breathe a huge sigh of relief.

A brace from Patrik Schik in second half stoppage time rescues their unbeaten run this season, which stretches to 37 games in all competitions.

Heartbreak for Qarabag, who pushed the Bundesliga leaders right until the very end, but their ten men gave everything but in the end it just wasn't quite enough.

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Liverpool have attempted 905 passes in this game, the highest total by any team in a single match in the 2023/2024 Europa League.