Liverpool hit Maribor for seven and set new club record for biggest away win in Europe

Liverpool finally found their form in front of goal in a record-breaking 7-0 European away victory against hapless Maribor and finally kick-start their Champions League campaign.

The Reds’ front three of Mohamed Salah (two), Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho got the goals as they put their opponents to the sword in the first half, with Firmino adding a fifth shortly after the break and deadline-day signing Alex Oxladechamberlain scoring his first for the club late on followed by Trent Alexander-arnold’s deflected added-time effort.

Liverpool’s previous best win away from home in Europe had been 5-0 – against Reykjavik in 1964, Crusaders in 1976 and Haka in 2001 – but the Slovenians made that record easy to beat.

Maribor coach Darko Milanic had a horrendous 32 days in charge of Leeds in 2014 but in the Stadion Ljudski his pain was all concentrated in the opening 40 minutes.

Liverpool’s pent-up frustration of one win in their last eight matches was released thanks to shambolic opponents, second in the Slovenian League two points behind Olimpija Ljubljana – coached by former Liverpool midfielder Igor Biscan – who offered far too much time and space to what can, on its day, be a devastating forward line.

It was Liverpool’s first away win in the Champions League since the 1-0 victory against Debrecen in November 2009 when David Ngog scored the only goal.

On that occasion it could not prevent their exit from the competition.

By contrast this result may be the one which gives them the push towards the knockout stage as, after two disappointing draws, they now top Group E on goal difference from Spartak Moscow with a return game against Maribor in a fortnight.