Liverpool top group; Brighton into Europa last 16
Cody Gakpo's double fired Liverpool into the Europa League last 16 as they routed LASK 4-0, while Brighton advanced to the knockout round with a 1-0 win at AEK Athens on Thursday. Jurgen Klopp's side sealed top spot in Group E thanks to Gakpo's brace and goals from Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah at Anfield. Second-placed Toulouse's 0-0 draw against Union Saint-Gilloise in the other group game means Klopp can rest players for his team's last remaining pool stage fixture. Europa League group winners go through to the last 16 automatically, while the runners-up play in a two-legged knockout round play-off in February against a team who finish third in a Champions League group. Brighton are competing in Europe for the first time and the Seagulls' adventure will continue into the New Year thanks to Joao Pedro's winner in Greece. Roberto De Zerbi's side are second in Group B, one point behind Marseille following the French side's dramatic 4-3 win over 10-man Ajax. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored a hat-trick for Marseille, including the winner with a penalty three minutes into stoppage-time. West Ham moved into the knockout round after Tomas Soucek's 89th minute goal saw off Backa Topola 1-0 in Serbia. Second-placed Freiburg thrashed Olympiakos 5-0 to join Group A leaders West Ham in the knockout round. There is a three-way battle for qualification from Group C after third-placed Sparta Prague beat leaders Real Betis 1-0, while second-placed Rangers drew 1-1 with Aris Limassol. Atalanta wrapped up top spot in Group D after a 1-1 draw against second-placed Sporting Lisbon, who are also through to the knockout round. Bayer Leverkusen go through to the last 16 as Group H winners after beating Hacken 2-0. While Rennes, Villareal, Slavia Prague and AS Roma all advance but will discover their final groups positions after the last round of matches. (AFP)_____________________________
Last updated: 2023-12-01 HKT 08:53 