5 Liverpool youngsters Jurgen Klopp should play against Sparta Prague

Even the most pessimistic Liverpool fan will probably accept that the Reds have booked their spot in the Europa League quarter-final.

Jurgen Klopp's side boast a 5-1 last 16 first leg lead against Sparta Prague, with the second fixture against the Czech champions coming this Thursday at Anfield. To say the Reds have one foot in the last eight would be an understatement.

With a mouth-watering trip to Old Trafford to face rivals Manchester United in the quarter-final of the FA Cup this Sunday and an exhausting title clash with Manchester City having just been and gone, Klopp could do with resting some of his key first-teamers in midweek.

With such a handsome aggregate lead, that shouldn't be an issue. Liverpool's exciting academy prospects will get another run out in front of the Kop this Thursday, with Klopp having trusted his youngsters in far more significant fixtures already this season.

But which striplings should the Liverpool boss call on against Sparta?

Given how impressively and maturely he performed against Man City last Sunday after replacing the injured Ibrahima Konate, it feels harsh to label Jarell Quansah as one of Liverpool's youngsters. But the centre-back is just 21 years old and has a mere six Premier League starts to his name, keeping out Erling Haaland in his most recent one.

Klopp has hinted that Konate could be available for the weekend clash with Man Utd in the FA Cup, with Quansah needed to fill in for the Frenchman again on Thursday. The Warrington-born defender has started five of seven Europa League games this term, and will be handed some more valuable European minutes against Sparta.

James McConnell has already proven himself to be a classy operator in a defensive midfield role for Liverpool,