Liverpool cruised into the Champions League knockout stage on Wednesday, as the Merseysiders annihilated Spartak Moscow 7-0 at Anfield.
The Reds went into the game knowing that anything other than defeat would see them reach the last-16 for the first time since 2008/09.
Jurgen Klopp made five changes to the side that thrashed Brighton & Hove Albion 5-1 last weekend, with Loris Karius, Alberto Moreno, Ragnar Klavan, Joe Gomez and Sadio Mane all returning.
Philippe Coutinho skippered the side with Jordan Henderson on the substitutes’ bench, on a very proud evening for Liverpool’s dazzling Brazilian.
His early penalty put the Reds 1-0 up, and after Coutinho had got his second, Roberto Firmino made it 3-0 to send Anfield into ecstasy, as Liverpool effectively booked their place in the knockout stage with over half of the game remaining.
Sadio Mane thundered home a wonderful volley in front of the Kop shortly after the interval and added another as the Reds started to run riot.
He was a happy man…
In between Mane’s double, Coutinho completed his hat-trick to complete a special evening for him – becoming the first Liverpool player since Yossi Benayoun hit a treble against Besiktas in 2007.
Next up for Liverpool is the visit of Everton in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon, in what is the 229th Merseyside derby.
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