Liverpool bounced back to winning ways in style on Tuesday as they beat Maribor 7-0 at Ljudski Vrt to romp to the top of Group E
The Reds took no time to get on the scoresheet as they made merry on a misplaced pass out of defence, with Mohamed Salah laying in the cross for Roberto Firmino to tap in and end his goalscoring drought. The lead was soon doubled as Philippe Coutinho ended a team move with a fine volley.
Firmino then turned provider for Salah as Liverpool grabbed a resounding three-goal lead inside the first twenty minutes, before the Egyptian winger completed his brace six minutes prior to half-time. Firmino grabbed his second shortly after the break, nodding the ball in from Coutinho’s free-kick.
With the result already in the bag, Jurgen Klopp brought off Salah and Firmino to give them an early night, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Dominic Solanke getting some time on the pitch. The former went on to score his first goal in Liverpool colours as well before Trent Alexander-Arnold rounded off the win.
Well played, Reds! ? pic.twitter.com/k5zUjkoJSk
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 17, 2017
The result was the biggest ever away win for an English side in the UEFA Champions League as the Reds discovered the attacking swagger that had been missing from their game since September. The Hard Tackle now runs the rule over Klopp’s men.
Loris Karius: 7/10
Preferred to Simon Mignolet yet again in the Champions League, the German enjoyed a quiet night in goal for a change as Maribor got to see such little of the ball. Had just one easy save to make, which he pulled off with ease, and was otherwise strong with his distribution as well.
Trent Alexander-Arnold: 8/10
A player who has seldom failed to impress, Alexander-Arnold was superb once again on Tuesday. With barely any pressure at the back, the youngster often bombarded down the right flank to provide support and space to Salah, who could drift inwards easily as a process.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has now scored 2 senior goals for Liverpool.
✅ Both in Europe
✅ Both from outside the boxGetting in on the act. ? pic.twitter.com/tFsm7p4nS5
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) October 17, 2017
All in all, he provided a great outlet on the right flank, whipping in some great crosses while also capping off a fine performance with the final goal of the match. One for the future, and the player continues to prove it with each passing game.
Joel Matip: 7/10
Like the rest of the defensive unit, Matip did not have much to do on the night. Whenever he was called into action though, the Cameroonian did well to sniff out the danger, while building up plays from the back. Another clean sheet in the end that will surely go on to build some much needed confidence.
Dejan Lovren: 7.5/10
Like Matip, Lovren defended strongly against a below par Maribor attack, negating any threat that the home side posed in the defensive third. More crucially for the much maligned Croat, he seems to be building his confidence as the Reds look to create a winning momentum again.
Alberto Moreno: 8/10
One of the success stories in an otherwise underwhelming start to the season Liverpool, Moreno is going from strength to strength with each passing game. Like his partner on the opposite flank, the Spaniard marauded down the left flank all night, creating several opportunities for the attackers, while also providing an assist in the first half.
Emre Can: 7/10
A cut above his counterparts in midfield, Can dominated the show for large parts of the game. But, the German had his moments of sloppiness as well, although those came few and far between. All in all though, a dominant outing even as a few improvements are required.
James Milner: 9/10
James Milner vs Maribor:
93% passing
2 chances created
1 assist
1 shot
7 crosses
4/6 take-ons
5 tackles
2/2 aerial duelsMOTM? pic.twitter.com/tb6VYYjnRg
— LFC Stats (@LFCData) October 17, 2017
His performance on the night flew under the radar slightly, but Milner arguably produced one of the best midfield performances from a Liverpool player this season, giving Klopp much food for thought. Passed the ball incisively while also keeping the formation intact in the middle of the park, the Englishman is getting closer to a Premier League start.
Georginio Wijnaldum: 7/10
A slightly unspectacular performance from Wijnaldum, but he did his job well on the night. A typically energetic performance by the Dutchman, he linked up well with his attackers while also breaking up Maribor plays effectively.
Mohamed Salah: 9/10
He only needed less than an hour… ?
Mo Salah, your @carlsberg Man of the Match! pic.twitter.com/8qC67VBSx8
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 17, 2017
Fresh off his match winning performance that clinched a place in the World Cup for Egypt, Salah seems to be riding high on confidence. The winger started the match with a bang as he remained alert to pounce on a misplaced pass before providing the assist to Firmino.
More importantly though, the Egyptian grabbed a crucial brace at a time when his finishing has been questionable. If he gets back into scoring mode, the performance on Tuesday will go a long way in building confidence in front of goal.
Roberto Firmino: 9/10
Perhaps the perfect game to end an extremely stretched up drought, and Firmino did so in style as he grabbed a crucial brace. By the end of his outing on the night, the Brazilian looked to have scaled back some much needed confidence. Just what he needed after a sub par month of football.
Philippe Coutinho: 9/10
Philippe Coutinho’s game by numbers vs. Maribor:
72 passes
6 shots
6 take-ons
6 chances created
4 crosses
2 assists
1 goalEnjoyed it. pic.twitter.com/qARlkWtqRd
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) October 17, 2017
Easily the Player of the Season for Liverpool thus far despite missing the first month of action, Coutinho was on fire once again on Tuesday. The gulf in class between him and the Maribor defenders was apparent as the playmaker made merry by grabbing a goal and providing two assists. The most clutch player for the Reds.
SUBSTITUTES
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: 7/10
Would have been disappointed to not get a start against the minnows, Oxlade-Chamberlain finally scored his first goal in a Liverpool shirt that would provide him some timely confidence booster.
Daniel Sturridge: 6/10
A strong outing from the bench, Sturridge managed to bag an assist for himself although chances he did have few chances coming his way.
Dominic Solanke: N/A
Came on with 15 minutes left and didn’t have much to do with Liverpool in cruise control mode.
