Player Analysis – Liverpool 7–0 Spartak Moscow

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.

Oliver Miller

FoL's Matchday Correspondent @oliver_miller

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