Virgil Van Dijk captained Liverpool to a 6-0 win over Qarabag in their final Champions League group phase match in a morale-boosting night for the Reds.
Goals from Alexis Mac Allister (2), Florian Wirtz, Mo Salah, Hugo Ekitike and Federico Chiesa helped Liverpool secure their place in the Champions League round of 16 in style.
It was a morale-boosting evening for the Reds, despite losing Jeremie Frimpong to injury early on – and some bizarre comments from Arne Slot in the post-match presser.
The big scoreline was a welcome distraction from Liverpool’s recent Premier League woes, and saw a return to form for captain Van Dijk, who did something no central defender has ever done before in the Champions League.
Van Dijk responds to criticism with captain’s performance
After being singled out by some for his performance during Liverpool’s 3-2 defeat to Bournemouth, Van Dijk put in a real captain’s performance against Qarabag.
Knowing the Reds needed a victory to avoid an extra play-off round, the Dutchman helped restrict the Azerbaijan side to just one shot on target.
That was despite having to lead a makeshift defence that comprised of Waturo Endo and Ryan Gravenberch as Liverpool’s injury woes continue.
Van Dijk sets new Champions League assist record
However, it was his performance at the other end of the pitch that caught the eye.
The 34-year-old may not have got on the scoresheet, but he did register a hat-trick of assists for his teammates.
In doing so, Van Dijk became the first central defender to record three assists in a single Champions League match.
The highlight of the three came for Chiesa’s goal and Liverpool’s sixth of the night. After surging forward from defence, Van Dijk eventually played the ball on a plate for the Italian to cap off an emphatic victory for the Reds.
Federico Chiesa scores his first goal since September to give Liverpool a 6-0 lead
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Can Liverpool do something special in the Champions League?
Whilst the season hasn’t gone to plan for Arne Slot’s men, with Liverpool on a concerning run of form in the Premier League, the Reds have fared much better in the Champions League.
Despite shock defeats to Galatasaray and PSV, only Arsenal and Bayern Munich have been better in the Champions League this season.
In fact, Opta’s supercomputer prediction has Liverpool down as third favourites to win the competition, and gives the Reds a one in five chance (18.36%) of reaching the final in Budapest.
The Reds did win the Champions League in 2005 with a much worse side that also struggled in the Premier League that season.
It would be wishful thinking on Liverpool’s part, but stranger things have happened at Anfield.
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