Klopp's Reds send a booming statement of intent across Europe

Spartak Moscow's humiliation was complete. Jurgen Klopp's rampant Liverpool had sent a booming statement of intent which will reverberate across Europe.

The Reds didn't just hold the nerve when the stakes were high, they breezed into the last 16 of the Champions League in scintillating style after a ruthless demolition job on the Russian champions.

This was the night when Liverpool truly announced their return to Europe's elite. “Bring on yer Internazionale,” roared the jubilant Kop.

Nine years after they last qualified for the knockout stages, the Reds are back where they belong. The five-times champions of Europe will join the big boys in Monday's draw.

Klopp accepted the acclaim of Anfield and rightly so. Here was the fruits of his labour as Liverpool showcased the breathless brand of attacking football he preaches.

The Fab Four purred from start to finish as Philippe Coutinho, Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino wreaked havoc.

Any backline in Europe would struggle to contain that dazzling quartet when they are in this kind of mood.

Their blistering pace, intelligent movement and lethal finishing will have been enough to give Evertonians cold sweats ahead of Sunday's Merseyside derby.

Stand-in skipper Coutinho walked off with the matchball stuffed up the back of his shirt after claiming the first hat-trick of his Anfield career.

The outstanding Mane bagged a double with Firmino and Salah also on target on a record-breaking night. Spartak were lucky to get nil.

With 23 goals across the six matches, Liverpool became the highest scoring English club in a Champions League group stage campaign.

The Reds had made hard work of Group E – throwing away leads home and away to Sevilla, and wasting a stack of chances in the draw away to Spartak. But when it really mattered, they delivered and it's another significant milestone in Klopp's reign.

Three years ago Liverpool squandered the opportunity when they returned to the Champions League. They looked out of their depth and had a manager who was a rookie in European terms.

Now they have the required class both on the field and in the dugout to shine at this level. Klopp knows what it takes. Those two-legged ties brought the best out of him tactically en route to the Europa League final in 2016 and Liverpool are on the march under him once again.

Klopp had sprung a surprise before kick-off as he left out captain Jordan Henderson and opted for the central midfield axis of Emre Can and Gini Wijnaldum.

Mane and Coutinho provided the width in his 4-4-2 with Salah joining Firmino through the middle. The balance was perfect.

Spartak arrived on a high after a recent upturn in form. Klopp had warned they would be a tougher nut to crack with the return of top scorer Quincy Promes, captain Denis Glushakov and striker Ze Luis.

Liverpool's frontline operated at a tempo and an intensity Spartak couldn't live with as centre-backs Serdar Tasci and Salvatore Bocchetti endured a torrid night.

The Reds were given a helping hand by some shoddy defending but that panic was triggered by the sheer weight of pressure.

The opener was a gift as Coutinho delivered from the left and Georgi Dzhikiya senselessly barged into Salah and hauled him down.

Coutinho took responsibility and coolly dispatched his first penalty for the Reds into the bottom corner. At 3mins 51secs it was also the fastest goal Liverpool had ever netted in a Champions League home game.

The dream start calmed the nerves and Liverpool tore forward in search of greater reward.

Mane lashed into the side netting before the Reds doubled their account. It was the kind of quick, incisive and selfless team move which Klopp relishes. No wonder he reacted with a flurry of fist pumps.

The Fab Four were all involved with Mane and Salah combining to release Firmino. The Brazilian could have gone for glory himself but decided to put it on a plate for the on-rushing Coutinho.

Spartak looked shell-shocked and their night soon got even worse. Mane pounced on a loose pass close to halfway and charged goalwards.

His cross struck the hapless Tasci on the arm but Firmino made the appeals for a penalty academic as he whipped the ball past Alexsandr Selikhov with the outside of his right boot.

When Ragnar Klavan then pinged a 70-yard pass on to Mane's boot it was a sign of the confidence pumping through the Reds' veins.

Defensively, Liverpool were impressive. Spartak rarely had a sniff with Promes firing straight at Loris Karius before Klavan produced a brave block to thwart Ze Luis.

Liverpool should have added to their tally when an audacious back-heel from Salah put Mane clear but he blazed over.

The only downside for Klopp - aside from Can picking up a booking which rules him out of the first leg of the last 16 tie - was the sight of Alberto Moreno hobbling off with an ankle injury just before the break.

With Andy Robertson not on the bench, it was left to James Milner to deputise at left-back and he did that with aplomb.

A fortnight earlier Liverpool had carelessly squandered a three-goal lead in a Seville bear pit. Those memories will have focused minds but there was never any chance of history repeating itself here.

Spartak's resolve was broken and within five minutes of the second half they found themselves 5-0 down.

The Reds' fourth nearly raised the roof. Coutinho released Milner down the left and his deep cross picked out the unmarked Mane.

The Senegal international still had plenty to do as the ball dropped waist height eight yards out, but he steadied himself and unleashed a thunderous volley past Selikhov at the Kop End. Anfield erupted.

The fifth wasn't as pleasing on the eye but for Coutinho it was one to cherish.

After latching on to Milner's pass, his effort took a wicked deflection off Bocchetti and flew inside the near post. He became the first Liverpool player to score a hat-trick at Anfield since Luis Suarez against Norwich four years ago.

There was no let-up. The Reds were relentless. With 14 minutes to go it was 6-0.

Mane's persistence won back possession with Can and Salah linking up before substitute Daniel Sturridge crossed. The delivery was behind Mane but he reacted smartly and still managed to hook it home from close range.

Liverpool had scored 11 goals in the space of four days with not one of them from Salah.

This is no one-man band but the Egyptian, who oozed class once again, wasn't to be denied and his 18th goal of the season completed the rout.

Milner nodded back across goal and Salah was calm and composed as he worked it on to right foot and finished emphatically.

Liverpool are on the road to Kiev. If standards are maintained this Klopp inspired juggernaut will take some stopping.

Source: Liverpool Echo

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