Mohamed Salah scored the fastest-ever Champions League hat-trick as Liverpool turned it on in the second half to thrash Rangers 7-1.
Rangers took the lead through Scott Arfield but the brilliant Roberto Firmino levelled it up and Liverpool took over after half-time, scoring six unanswered goals – including three in six minutes from substitute Salah – to leave the hosts unable to make it through to the last 16.
Firmino got his second to give Liverpool the lead on 55 minutes before the Brazilian’s flick set up Darwin Nunez to net his second goal in as many games. Salah then took over, scoring the first of his three goals on 75 minutes and securing the match with two more ruthless finishes against the hapless Rangers defence.
After a such a bright start, it turned into an embarrassing night for Rangers, who lost both Connor Goldson and Ryan Jack to injuries and conceded a seventh to Harvey Elliott that was eventually awarded by VAR.
Liverpool’s spectacular second half meant it was Rangers’ heaviest-ever defeat in a competitive match at Ibrox. The result left Gers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst scratching his head.
He said: “The first hour we were there and we can make it difficult for many opponents at Ibrox but the way we played the last 25 minutes, you will lose against any team we play here.
“I cannot explain. I have to process this, I cannot explain at the moment.
“Of course we need to accept the criticism. It’s part of my job, part of the players’ job.
“When you perform like this – I don’t mean the whole 90 minutes, but the last 25 minutes – you will get criticism and we have to take it on the chin.”
After Napoli beat Ajax 4-2 earlier in the night, Liverpool now just need one point from their final two games away to Ajax and home to Napoli to assure their qualification. Rangers are bottom after four straight defeats and cannot qualify for the knockouts. (Sky)
