Two good, two bad as Philippe Coutinho rises to the occasion in Liverpool's rout of Spartak Moscow

Aditya Devavrat 02:48 07/12/2017
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Liverpool knew they couldn’t afford a slip-up at Anfield on Wednesday, where a loss could have seen them crash out of the Champions League at only the group stage of the competition.

    Instead, thanks to an inspired performance from Philippe Coutinho, the home side ran riot in a 7-0 win over Spartak Moscow that ensured they topped their group.

    Here are two good and two bad performances from the game.

    TWO GOOD

    Philippe Coutinho

    Captain on the night until James Milner came on, and boy did Coutinho rise to the occasion. He scored his first hat-trick for Liverpool and became only the third player to score a Champions League hat-trick for the club, after Michael Owen and Yossi Benayoun. The Brazilian also brought up 50 goals for his Liverpool career. Not a bad night, then.

    Coutinho seemed to relish the responsibility of the armband. He could be seen rallying his team-mates, handing out instructions when necessary, and tracking back with vigour. Most importantly, his intensity never dropped, even as Liverpool kept on scoring. This sort of performance in a must-win game is a captaincy hallmark, and if he stays at Liverpool beyond this season, Coutinho could be the next Steven Gerrard.

    Coutinho had one of his best games in a Liverpool shirt.

    Coutinho had one of his best games in a Liverpool shirt.

    James Milner

    In an odd way, it’s a shame that James Milner is such a selfless player. He is an excellent midfielder and deserves to be starting there for Liverpool, and, to be fair, he often does. He’s also a more than capable left-back, and that’s where he’s gotten most of his playing time for the Reds, and before that, for Manchester City. It’s not his preferred position – and he moved to Liverpool in order to get more time in midfield – but he plays there without complaints, and delivers more often than not from that position.

    Most times, when Milner is picked at left-back, it’s to offer Liverpool greater defensive solidity. But on Wednesday, the Englishman showed he’s lost none of his attacking nous, setting up Sadio Mane’s stunning goal, Liverpool’s fourth, with a trademark run and cross. He bagged another assist soon after, cutting back onto his right foot and laying the ball off to Coutinho, who duly completed his hat-trick.

    Whichever position he plays, Milner is always a contributor to the cause.

    Whichever position he plays, Milner is always a contributor to the cause.

    TWO BAD

    Denis Glushakov

    Where Coutinho rose to the occasion of being captain, his opposite number had a horrid time on the pitch. No, Denis Glushakov was not solely responsible for Spartak’s capitulation on the night. But his team was crying out for leadership, and their captain couldn’t respond.

    Glushakov was bypassed too easily in midfield, but more than that, he seemed to visibly lose spirit even before Liverpool were out of sight. When Spartak fell a goal behind, then two, then three, at no point did it seem like Glushakov could calm his team down, or rally his charge. It was an unexpectedly poor outing from an experienced hand.

    Glushakov went missing in the Spartak midfield as Liverpool ran riot.

    Glushakov went missing in the Spartak midfield as Liverpool ran riot.

    Georgi Dzhikiya

    Georgi Dzhikiya’s game started in the worst possible way, as he gave away an early penalty that put paid to any chance Spartak had of staying compact and holding fort against the Liverpool attack before finding a killer goal – which must surely have been the plan. Instead, Dzhikiya’s foul on Mohamed Salah in the box, a clumsy tackle as he ran straight into the Egyptian, let Liverpool take an early lead, settle down, and play Spartak out of the game.

    From that moment onwards, Dzhikiya’s game only got worse, as it was often down his side that Liverpool found their best attacking play. Spartak’s defence was a shambles throughout, but the 24-year-old stood out for the number of times he was caught out by a marauding Liverpool.

    Georgi Dzhikiya had a nightmare game at the back for Spartak.

    Georgi Dzhikiya had a nightmare game at the back for Spartak.

    Recommended