Liverpool can come away from Wednesday night’s performance with heads held high, especially one out-of-form star who made Champions League history.
It was a perfect night for the Reds.
Liverpool hammered Qarabag to book their place in the last-16 of the competition, ending up third in the league phase standings.
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So many good displays vs Qarabag
Six goals from five different goalscorers highlights their dominance, but it was the man putting it on a plate for his teammates who reached an impressive Champions League first.
Virgil van Dijk’s historic performance against Qarabag
Virgil van Dijk needed this performance as much as anyone.
Liverpool fans were frustrated with Van Dijk after adding another questionable performance to his recent resume against Bournemouth.
He more than made up for it with this performance.
The Dutchman is the first centre-back ever to record three assists in a Champions League game. In the Liverpool player ratings vs Qarabag, we said Van Dijk did more in the attacking third than in his own, and that’s reflected in this historic achievement.
Maybe not something he should make a habit of, but it should go some way to getting him back to his imperious best.
Mohamed Salah got a confidence boost too
Salah and Van Dijk against Bournemouth got the most stick from fans, but both will be happy with their displays against Qarabag.
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It hasn’t been smooth sailing for Salah this season, but getting that goal — what a goal by the way — could be the boost he needs to find his way back to his typical levels.
If Liverpool are to go far in this competition, they will need the Egyptian at his brilliant best.
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