6th December, 2017
Philippe Coutinho scored a hat-trick as Liverpool became the fifth English club to qualify for the last 16 of this season’s Champions League with a thumping victory over Spartak Moscow at Anfield.
The Reds came into the game knowing they needed to avoid defeat to be sure of reaching the knockout stage for the first time since 2008-09 – and Coutinho gave them the lead with a fourth-minute penalty after Mohamed Salah was fouled by Georgi Dzhikiya.
They doubled their lead after a superb move 11 minutes later, Coutinho tapping home from Roberto Firmino’s pass, BBC reports.
Firmino netted himself to make it 3-0 at half-time, and Sadio Mane’s sublime volley extended the lead.
Coutinho completed his hat-trick with a deflected shot, and Mane added the sixth before Salah completed the rout.
Liverpool’s victory means this is the first time five English teams have qualified for the Champions League last 16 in the same season.
Manchester United, Manchester City, Tottenham and Chelsea will also join Liverpool in Monday’s draw at Uefa headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.