Coutinho scores hat-trick as Reds secure top spot in style
Liverpool's front four put on an attacking masterclass as they thrashed Spartak Moscow 7-0 at Anfield to finish top of Group E in the Champions League.
On a night of devastating attacking play, Philippe Coutinho netted a hat-trick (4, 15, 50), Saido Mane scored twice (47, 76) while Roberto Firmino (19) and Mohamed Salah (86) grabbed one goal each.
The result ensured Jurgen Klopp's men reached the knockout stages of the Champions League for the first time since 2008-09. The draw for the last 16 takes place on Monday.
Liverpool have now scored 32 goals in a nine-match unbeaten run since losing to Tottenham in late October and next host rivals Everton and their new manager Sam Allardyce on Derby Day on Nissan Super Sunday.
With Jordan Henderson benched, Coutinho was handed the captaincy and relished the added responsibility.
After Salah was bundled over in the box on four minutes, Coutinho stepped up and rolled home the penalty for his seventh goal of the campaign.
Although Spartak did try to pin Liverpool back, they left spaces in behind and were punished again this time by Firmino, who slammed home from close range after some suspect defending.
After the break, Mane's acrobatic volley extended the hosts' advantage before Coutinho secured his hat-trick with a deflected effort.
Substitute Daniel Sturridge missed from close range before Mane added a sixth and Salah took the Reds' goal tally for this Champions League campaign to 23 with a clever finish - the haul the most ever by a British team in a Champions League group stage.
Finishing as Group E winners means the Reds avoid the likes of PSG, Barcelona and Roma, but Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Juventus could be potential last-16 opponents.
Man of the Match: Philippe Coutinho. A night many home fans will remember, especially for Coutinho's imperious showing. Playing deeper behind Salah, Mane and Firmino, he scored his first ever hat-trick for Liverpool in a performance that was close to perfection. He set the tempo for their attacks and was ruthlessly clinical in front of goal. Everton beware.
Source: Sky Sports
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