LIVERPOOL

game was all but over in the 19th minute as Firmino turned provider for Salah with a through ball and the Egyptian ace made no mistake to get his seventh of the season.

Viler had a low strike saved by Loris Karius, again getting the nod in goal in Europe ahead of Simon Mignolet, to give the Reds’ defence a little reminder. But the fourth arrived at the other end before the break as Coutinho found Alberto Moreno and the Spaniard slid the ball across for Salah to tap in just before Firmino got to it.

The Reds had nine shots on target in the opening 45 minutes and converted four of them as they proved they had found the route back to goal regularly as well as their way in Europe. The Slovenian champions certainly helped by being poor offensively and wide open at the back.

And the fifth came just nine minutes after the restart and it was two of the three musketeers in attack who combined for it.

Coutinho’s free-kick was met by Firmino with a glancing header that sailed past the helpless Jasmin Handanovic in the hosts’ goal.

Liverpool continued to cut open the Slovenians at will and OxladeChamberlain slotted home the sixth after fine work by fellow substitute Daniel Sturridge in the 86th minute.

Still Liverpool were not finished as Alexander-Arnold got in on the act with a deflected shot.

Liverpool will look for a similar result when Maribor visit Anfield but will face sterner tests against Sevilla and Spartak to secure a last-16 spot but their first away win in Europe for eight years has put them on their way.

MARIBOR (4-2-3-1): LIVERPOOL (4-3-3): Goals: Booked: