Liverpool
Loris Karius – 7
Got down well to make a solid early save but from then on was a bystander.
Joe Gomez – 7
Another solid performance – was heavily involved in the play on the right-side but it was more of a cruising contribution than fast-paced attacking forays.
Ragnar Klavan – 7
An easy return back into the defence – did everything that was asked of him with authority.
Dejan Lovren – 7
Received a standing ovation when substituted and his performance before that was one of confidence and leadership whilst excelling in the aerial battles.
Alberto Moreno – 7
Was forced off injured just before half-time – had a decent performance before his exit.
Georginio Wijnaldum – 7
Understated but nevertheless effective – an industrious presence who snapped into tackles, used the ball well and worked his socks off.
Emre Can – 8
Was chosen ahead of Henderson to play in the defensive midfield role – was a dominant figure on the night although he did receive an early yellow card that rules him out of the first-leg of the next round.
Philippe Coutinho – 9
On the night he captained his club, Coutinho led the team on the pitch in more ways than one – scoring a hat-trick and leaving the Anfield crowd reveling in his phenomenal form.
Mohamed Salah – 8
Won an early penalty, played a key part in Coutinho’s second, and got his own goal in the latter stages – it was Salah in particular who caused the Spartak defence havoc.
Sadio Mane – 7
As good as he was, Mane didn’t shine as brightly as the rest – still got a goal and impressed with his quality touches.
Roberto Firmino – 9
Was the glue that held the front three together – his work ethic and unselfishness paved the way for a fantastic performance whilst managing to score himself.
Spartak Moscow
Aleksandr Selikhov – 3
Hmmm…
Andrey Eshchenko – 4
Was forced to tuck in very close to his centre-back to try and force Coutinho and Moreno out wide … it didn’t work.
Serdar Tasci – 4
Simply couldn’t compete with the talent of Firmino, Salah & co.
Salvatore Bocchetti – 4
Was left on his backside after Liverpool’s 7th goal, an image that summed up his night.
Georgi Dzhikiya – 4
Guilty of giving Liverpool the 3rd minute gift of a penalty – his night didn’t improve from then.
Denis Glushakov – 5
Wasn’t strong enough in the centre of the Spartak midfield – when he did have possession he was easily dispossessed.
Fernando – 5
When he did receive the ball the ambition was to play intelligent balls to the forwards but lacked the quality to execute it.
Roman Zobnin – 4
Was made to look amateurish by Coutinho when going face-to-face with the Brazilian
Luiz Adriano – 6
Arguably Spartak’s best player on the night – showed glimpses of quality but these were few and far between.
Quincy Promes – 4
Didn’t have much of a look-in in terms of attacking – never seemed to be that bothered to protect his defence.
Ze Luis – 4
Spartak had very little in terms of attacks and he failed to make any impact on the match.
