Liverpool finally found their scoring boots in the Champions League as they put seven past Maribor.

Roberto Firmino had put the Reds in front within just four minutes in Slovenia when he tapped in a Mohamed Salah pull-back.

Philippe Coutinho would make it two nine minutes later before Salah joined the score sheet to put Liverpool three ahead inside 19 minutes.

The goals continued to flow from there as Salah bagged a deserved second for Jurgen Klopp’s before half-time while Firmino added his second after the break.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Trent Alexander-Arnold both notching late on to hand Liverpool their best ever-away victory in European competitions.

Here were the key talking ponts from the Stadion Ljudski vrt:

Reds rediscover their goal-den touch

 

Amid the continuing concerns about the defence, Liverpool have had to deal with another problem in recent weeks; their lack of goals.

Draws with Manchester United, Newcastle and Spartak Moscow had seen the Reds front line show a worrisome and frustrating lack of cutting edge.

It was a problem they firmly dismissed in this game.

The first four goals came from their opening five shots in the first half and was a demonstration of the kind of clinical finishing that has been sorely absent of late.

Adding a further three strengthened the point and proved that this squad has not forgotten how to put the ball in the net after all. No wonder Jurgen Klopp was beaming.

Return of the Gegenpressing

 

Klopp’s arrival was supposed to bring his infamous Gegenpressing to Liverpool.

Indeed the early days of his reign were dominated by it, but the tactic has slowly been abandoned in the two years since his fanfare appointment.

Unfortunately for Maribor, it was back with a vengeance and key to the Reds comfortable victory in Slovenia.

The front three of Coutinho, Firmino and Salah did not give the defence a moment’s peace, forcing consistent turnovers of the ball and a general panic among their opposition.

Not only did that lead to most of the efforts on Jasmin Handanovic’s goal, it also meant Loris Karius had little to do all game.

With the defence still worrying everyone, a return to the Gegenpressing system could help solve Liverpool’s problems.

Champions League fate back in their hands

 

A 7-0 win over Maribor was not the only positive of the evening as Spartak’s win over Sevilla opened up the group firmly in the Liverpool’s favour again.

They now sit joint-top of Group E with five points at its midway point with three goals more than the Russian outfit.

The reverse fixture against the Slovenians at Anfield should allow them to add another three points and further goals to that tally.

With a home game against Spartak also to come, following by a trip to Spain, Liverpool have every opportunity to make this group their own.

Time to make way for Milner

 

Klopp has a big decision to make about which Englishman starts in his midfield.

The only question remains is, will it be Jordan Henderson or James Milner?

The latter has been somewhat harshly treated this season, finding himself among the substitutes despite his strong, consistent performances at left-back last year.

His performance in this game showed why that shouldn ot continue for much longer. Played in his preferred role, Milner was superb from start to finish.

The opposition may have been lacking but a smart use of the ball, intelligent movement and excellent range of passing played a key role in Liverpool’s comfortable win.

Henderson has hardly been setting the world alight this season and perhaps it is time for Liverpool’s captain to drop out in favour of his compatriot.