Liverpool secured a place in the Champions League last 16 with an astonishing 7-0 win over Spartak Moscow at Anfield on Wednesday evening.
Liverpool 7-0 Spartak Moscow
Champions League Group Stage, Anfield
December 6, 2017
Goals: Coutinho 5′ 15′ 50′, Firmino 18′, Mane 47′ 76′, Salah 85′
Liverpool needed just a point to secure qualification from the group stage but a victory would ensure they finished top.
Philippe Coutinho was handed the captain’s armband as he, Emre Can and Georginio Wijnaldum were given the nod to start in midfield, while Jordan Henderson was rested.
Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah all started in attack as Jurgen Klopp named a strong lineup.
Captain Coutinho gave the Reds an early lead when Salah was dragged down in the box and awarded a penalty, which the skipper duly dispatched.
Liverpool were full of momentum and Coutinho quickly doubled the lead following some slick passing play.
Firmino made it 3-0 after just 18 minutes and Liverpool could easily have added more before the half-time break.
Just when you thought things couldn’t get better, Mane scored an absolute screamer within minutes of the restart and Coutinho then bagged his hat-trick three minutes later.
Mane got his second shortly afterwards and Salah joined the party before full-time.
Here’s how Liverpool supporters saw Wednesday’s 7-0 win on Facebook, Twitter and our forums.
Fans had mixed views on the decision to make Coutinho captain…
https://twitter.com/HenryJackson87/status/938475968729092096
“Cant believe its taken four months to bench Hendo. Long may it ‘Coutinho”
– Niall Hogan on Facebook.
Captain Coutinho! #LFC pic.twitter.com/CS3jn34OV8
— The Redmen TV (@TheRedmenTV) December 6, 2017
“Giving Coutinho the captaincy feels like when they gave Luis the captaincy to see if he would stay but ended up leaving anyways.”
– Francisco Herrera on the forums.
But when he scored two early goals, fans were delighted…
Skipper delivers from the spot. Easy as you like.
— Sam McGuire (@SamMcGuire90) December 6, 2017
Phil was far calmer taking the pen than I was watching him.
— Jim Boardman (@JimBoardman) December 6, 2017
Mane then scored that incredible goal and fans were awestruck…
WHAT A GOAL!!
— Rikki Singh ? (@rikki1502) December 6, 2017
Send help to Anfield, sand bags, barricades anything. This could be any number from Liverpool. #LIVSPA
— Rob Jones (@RobJonesSport) December 6, 2017
What a cross by Milner! But the finish??? Goodness me!! MANE!!
— John Arne Riise (@JARiiseOfficial) December 6, 2017
Things got even better when Coutinho grabbed his hat-trick…
We’re playing some beautiful football tonight lads keep it up #ynwa ??
— Amy (@Amy_Lfc) December 6, 2017
“Coutinho should be made captain permanently and he must stay!”
– Yazeed Saat on Facebook.
So it was no surprise that fans were full of praise at full-time…
https://twitter.com/jstar1973/status/938512764942811136
https://twitter.com/Andrew_Heaton/status/938512436373618688
“Quality performance from the lads tonight”
– Paul Sandford on Facebook.
The comradery between our attackers is something to behold. They aren't bothered who scores the goal so long as Liverpool find the back of the net. Not easy to create such an environment.
— Sam McGuire (@SamMcGuire90) December 6, 2017
Jurgen Klopp deserves enormous credit for rotating these four and still getting the job the past few weeks. Now they're all fit and all firing. Great management.
— Empire of the Kop (@empireofthekop) December 6, 2017
Great performance by @LFC… through to the next round.. #YNWA
— Ally (@AllyLfc) December 6, 2017
“Jurgen the world is watching. Use this to strengthen in Jan. We can be a draw for top players. These players should be defensive ones.”
– John B on the forums.
We've got the best attack in the world! #LFC
— Carl Clemente (@clemente_carl) December 6, 2017
https://twitter.com/rajsinghchohan/status/938506498484981761
“Every Liverpool player gets a 10 rating. I can’t criticize anyone. It was a perfect game!”
– Akie174 on Facebook.
What a privilege it is to watch this Liverpool team. Enjoy every single minute of this – it's special.
— David Lynch (@dmlynchlfc) December 6, 2017
What. A. Win
Aaaaand
KNOCKOUT STAGE, HERE WE COOOMEEEE!!!
— Alexey Yaroshevsky (@YaroLFC) December 6, 2017
“21 Champions League group stage goals and counting. English record. Get in, Redmen!”
– Norse Dweller on the forums.
THE REDS MARCH ON
— . (@Kloppomaniacs) December 6, 2017
And…..breathe!!
— Rikki Singh ? (@rikki1502) December 6, 2017
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