Liverpool Secures Prime-3 Seed In Champions League Knockout Section With 6-0 Thrashing

[ad_1] Liverpool could also be struggling within the Premier League, however they are a very totally different aspect within the Champions League, as they underlined on Wednesday by storming straight into the final 16 of the competitors by hammering Qarabag 6-0 at Anfield. With the Reds' defensive damage disaster having worsened in Saturday's surprising defeat at Bournemouth, the very last thing head coach Arne Slot wanted was Jeremie Frimpong hobbling off with what seemed like his third hamstring damage of the season after simply two minutes of play on Merseyside.

Nevertheless, that was the one detrimental on a night stuffed with positives for the under-pressure Dutch coach. Alexis Mac Allister, who has seemed a shadow of his ordinary self this season, bagged a brace and will have had a hat-trick by the tip, Mohamed Salah scored for his membership for the primary time since November 1 with a fantastic free-kick, whereas Virgil van Dijk went a way in the direction of making up for his mistake on the Vitality Stadium on the weekend with a hat-trick of assists (even when two of them weren't actually intentional!).

A smiling Slot was additionally thrilled with the performances of in-form ahead duo Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike, who each netted in what was a morale-boosting win forward of Saturday's must-win Premier League assembly with Newcastle.

GOAL charges the entire Liverpool gamers on present at Anfield because the Reds claimed third place within the Champions League league part in emphatic style ...

Goalkeeper & Protection Alisson Becker (6/10):

With Liverpool snug for essentially the most half, Alisson was hardly ever referred to as into motion. When he was, he dealt simply with the hazard.

Jeremie Frimpong (N/A):

Pressured off lower than 4 minutes into the sport with one more damage. A catastrophe for the Dutchman and his workforce.

Ryan Gravenberch (7/10):

Moved again into the centre of protection with Gomez injured and Konate nonetheless unavailable for private causes and defended effectively. Unsurprisingly additionally commonly introduced the ball out of protection to good impact — though he won't get away with that towards stronger sides.

Virgil van Dijk (8/10):

The captain's early try on objective enabled Mac Allister to open the scoring, whereas Ekitike's solo strike got here from his punt upfield. Nevertheless, there was northing fortuitous about his help for Chiesa, with the centre-back getting ahead late on to depart the Italian with a easy end. Extra importantly, although, Van Dijk was again to his ordinary dominant and composed self on the again.

Andy Robertson (7/10):

Recalled to the beginning line-up amid rumours that he would possibly be part of Tottenham earlier than the shut of the winter window and did a fantastic job at left-back. Gained loads of possession and in addition bought ahead every time the chance introduced itself. Nonetheless loads to supply Liverpool.

Midfield Alexis Mac Allister (8/10):

Broke the impasse with a back-post header and struck once more when the ball broke properly for him within the space. Clearly, the standard of the opposition have to be taken into consideration, nevertheless it was encouraging to see Mac Allister wanting like his previous dynamic self.

Dominik Szoboszlai (8/10):

Deployed in a deeper midfield position however nonetheless supplied loads going ahead - which was hardly stunning given the standard of the opposition - whereas his set-pieces additionally prompted issues. Wherever he performs lately, he is the beating coronary heart of this workforce, along with his relentless working and invaluable potential to regain possession.

Florian Wirtz (7/10):

Took his objective very effectively, which solely served to underline simply how a lot confidence he is now enjoying with after a sluggish begin to his Liverpool profession. After all, Slot will in all probability be simply as pleased with the German's work-rate, as Wirtz was continuously hassling and harrying Qarabag defenders.

Assault Mohamed Salah (7/10):

Noticed loads of the ball within the first half however nothing he tried actually got here off for him till he discovered the highest nook with a unbelievable free-kick simply after the break. Salah getting again among the many targets is a big increase for Slot's aspect going into the decisive a part of the season.

Hugo Ekitike (8/10):

After whipping one low strike extensive early on, the Frenchman with the quick toes teed up Wirtz to make it 2-0 simply 20 minutes in. He then bought the objective his creativity and power deserved when he latched onto a clearance from Van Dijk earlier than slipping the ball previous a Qarabag defender after which firing it by means of the legs of the goalkeeper. It was only a excellent illustration of what Ekitike is all about.

Cody Gakpo (6/10):

Closely concerned and linked effectively with Robertson at occasions, however he simply couldn't get on the scoresheet irrespective of how exhausting he tried.

Subs & Supervisor Wataru Endo (7/10):

Got here on for the unlucky Frimpong and the Japan midfielder did very effectively certainly as a makeshift right-back. Clearly not a correct long-term resolution to Liverpool's drawback place, however such a helpful participant to have within the squad.

Trey Nyoni (6/10):

Launched rather than Ekitike halfway by means of the second half.

Rio Ngumoha (6/10):

A part of a double-substitution with Nyoni and confirmed off his expertise with out managing to ship and finish product.

Federico Chiesa (7/10):

Changed Gakpo for the ultimate phases and bought himself on the scoresheet within the dying seconds by tucking away a go from Van Dijk.

Amaro Nallo (6/10):

Despatched on with quarter-hour to go and managed to make it to the tip of the sport with out being despatched off. An enormous increase for the teenager!

Arne Slot (7/10):

Nearly an ideal night for Slot. Picked a really robust, attacking workforce they usually rewarded him with a powerful win that can quell a few of the hypothesis surrounding his future. Nevertheless, the lack of Frimpong means he now not has a single match senior right-back in his squad!