London: Brazilian Philippe Coutinho struck a hat-trick as Liverpool crushed Spartak Moscow 7-0 to move into the knockout stages of the Champions League as Group E winners in a game played Wednesday night at Anfield.
However, for EPL leaders Manchester City it was a night to forget as they lost 1-2 to Shakhtar Donetsk. The result will not affect City’s chances in any way as they topped Group F with 15 points. However, it was the first defeat for Pep Guardiola’s side in any competition this season in 15 games.
Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp fielded an attacking line-up with Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah in attack, with Coutinho playing behind them, and it was simply too much for the Russians to handle.
The five-time European champions took the lead in the fourth minute with a Coutinho penalty after Salah was pulled down by Georgi Dzhikiya. What followed next was a superb move when Mane fed Salah, who in turn slipped the ball to Coutinho, for a simple finish in the 15th minute. Three minutes later it was 3-0 as Firmino added to the tally.
Four minutes after the interval, Liverpool put the game to bed with Mane scoring off a spectacular volley and two minutes later Coutinho completing his hat-trick.
Mane got his second when he scooped in a low cross from Georginio Wijanaldum in the 76th minute, and then Salah, who had been outstanding all evening, made it 7-0, blasting home after some typically clever footwork in the box.
Meanwhile Shakhtar booked a Champions League knockout-stage berth after five years, thanks to first half goal by Brazilians Bernard and Ismaily.
With one eye on Sunday’s Premier League Manchester derby against Man United, Guardiola rested his entire first-choice back four and Shakhtar took advantage as they romped into a 2-0 lead before half time. The scoreline remained the same till added on time when Sergio Aguero got a consolation for City from the spot.
The draw for the last 16 is in Nyon, Switzerland, Monday and City will head a pack of five English teams in the knockout stages, with Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur also through.
