Roberto Firmino inspired a 7-1 annihilation of Rangers that might just have turned the Reds' season around.
It’s fair to say that Mohamed Salah has found his touch again. And maybe, just maybe, so have Liverpool.
Jurgen Klopp’s side have been battered from pillar to post of late, but they gave their supporters a night to remember in Glasgow, coming from behind to smash Rangers 7-1 at Ibrox.
A significant win, in more ways than one. One more point will see the Reds safely into the Champions League knockout stages for the sixth successive season, for starters, but what this victory may do for their confidence is equally important. This was as convincing a performance as they have delivered in some time.
Salah grabbed the headlines, coming off the bench to score the fastest hat-trick in Champions League history. It took the Egyptian only six minutes and 12 seconds to write his name into the record books, proving rumours of his demise are premature, to say the least.
Earlier, Roberto Firmino had continued his own fine form, scoring twice to give the Reds the lead after Scott Arfield had fired Rangers in front.
Darwin Nunez got his first Champions League goal for the Reds to make it 3-1, and Harvey Elliott did likewise, after a lengthy VAR check, to round off the scoring after Salah’s whirlwind cameo.
All in all, a hugely positive night for Klopp and his side, who may just have rediscovered some form at the right time, with Manchester City visiting Anfield this weekend in the Premier League.
GettyThe Winners
Roberto Firmino:
If this is to be Roberto Firmino's last year at Liverpool, he looks determined to make sure it's a memorable one.
The Brazilian has been the Reds' most decisive player in recent weeks, and he made another huge contribution here, putting on a masterclass to drag his side back into the game after the shock of conceding early.
Firmino rose highest to head Liverpool level, seven minutes after Scott Arfield had shook them to their boots with the opener, and he was in the right place again, 10 minutes after half time, to convert Joe Gomez's delicious cross at the far post.
Then came the party piece, a sumptuous backheeled assist for Darwin Nunez to make it 3-1. He departed soon after to a standing ovation from the travelling Reds, and no wonder. Without their No.9 right now, who knows where Liverpool would be?
Mohamed Salah:
No starting place? No problem! Mo Salah could have been the headline-grabber for all the wrong reasons here, left out of Klopp's XI having been substituted in the defeat to Arsenal on Sunday. Signs of decline, perhaps, in the relentless Egyptian?
Erm, no. On he came, 68 minutes on the clock and Liverpool leading 3-1. Within seven minutes he'd scored, and just over six minutes later he had bagged a historic hat-trick.
They were great finishes, too. Rangers may have given up the ghost – their final half hour was little short of disgraceful – but this was exactly what Salah, and Klopp, wanted. What they needed. The Egyptian King is back on his throne. City be warned.
Harvey Elliott:
Elliott rounded off the scoring three minutes from time, after a long wait for VAR to check a possible offside against Diogo Jota. It was no more than the 19-year-old deserved.
This was a mature, classy performance from Elliott, who caused havoc on the right flank, playing with maturity, conviction and desire at a time when his team needed him to.
He was the one, when Liverpool struggled initially, who took the fight to Rangers, seeking out the ball and driving at defenders. He had a big part to play in Liverpool's second goal, finding Joe Gomez with a super touch before the full-back crossed for Firmino, and his link-up play was sharp all night long.
When he plays like this, he brings out the best in others, and he connected relentlessly with Nunez, with Firmino, with Fabio Carvalho and, eventually, with Salah. A night to remember, for a very special young talent.
AdvertisementGettyThe Losers
Giovanni Van Bronckhorst:
Oh dear, Rangers. Where do you go from here?
European football gave them everything last season, but the step up to the Champions League has been little short of a catastrophe for the Europa League finalists. They have lost four out of four, scoring only once and conceding 16.
They looked, for a short spell, like they might spring a surprise here. Ibrox was rocking when Arfield fired them ahead on 17 minutes, their first goal in this competition since Kenny Miller scored against Bursaspor in 2010, but Firmino's equaliser arrived too quickly, and Liverpool simply blew them away after the break.
Clearly, there is a gulf between the sides, but there are ways to lose football matches, and this was embarrassing for Giovanni van Bronckhorst, who saw his side capitulate once Firmino had made it 2-1. He also saw his fans head for the exits long before the final whistle.
A damning indictment, at a place famed for its home support. How much longer will he last, one wonders?
Ajax:
It looks like Napoli and Liverpool will be the two sides progressing from Group A, then?
Napoli are already through, in fact. The Serie A leaders might be the most exciting side in Europe right now, demonstrating their prowess with a 4-2 win over Ajax in the early kick off.
The Eredivisie side know they need to beat Liverpool in Amsterdam later this month to keep their hopes alive. Klopp's side know a draw would see them safely into the knockout stages, and that even a defeat would be fine, if they were to get a result against Napoli on the final matchday.
A group which looked tight to begin with, may well be done and dusted with a game to spare.
GettyLiverpool Ratings: Defence
Alisson Becker (6/10):
Exposed again for Arfield's opener, otherwise not required to do much else. A couple of hesitant moments coming off his line, but nothing serious.
Joe Gomez (7/10):
Looked a bag of nerves in the first half, getting away with one poor backpass at 1-0. But showed real character to come through that and make a big impact in the second half. Great ball for Firmino's second goal.
Kostas Tsimikas (5/10):
Delivered the corner from which Firmino levelled, but struggled badly against Sakala. Still too rash at times and doesn't inspire confidence.
Ibrahima Konate (7/10):
Strong and decisive, this was a good return to the starting XI for the Frenchman.
Virgil van Dijk (7/10):
Dominant aerially as ever. A bit of an edgy first half, but fully in control thereafter.
GettyMidfield
Fabinho (7/10):
Slow start but grew into it, although seemed to play further forward than usual in the first half. Dominant after the break.
Jordan Henderson (6/10):
Didn't start the game at all well amid the frenzied atmosphere. Rushed in possession and lacked quality. Looked devoid of confidence, though he like others got better after the interval.
Harvey Elliott (8/10):
A difference-maker. The youngster showed courage and willingness to take the ball and carry it throughout. Mature and composed, he deserved his goal.
