Almost single-handedly, Phillippe Coutinho erased the shadow of elimination looming over Liverpool prior to Matchday 6, as he recorded his first-ever hat-trick as a Reds' player, his second as a professional footballer.
Coutinho completed his hat-trick scoring after the 4th, 15th and 50th minutes of the game, and he managed to write his name in the team's record books when it comes to UEFA Champions League games.
#UCL hat-tricks for Liverpool:
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) December 6, 2017
2002 - M.Owen v Spartak Moscow
2007 - Y.Benayoun v Besiktas
2017 - P.Coutinho v Spartak Moscow pic.twitter.com/8dp5gaJjWw
If you had any doubts on why Liverpool fought so hard to keep the player with them this summer, these numbers might give you an idea.
Philippe Coutinho in Group E:
— #TeamOfTheYear (@ChampionsLeague) December 6, 2017
Games 5
Goals 4
Assists 2#UCL pic.twitter.com/2fn30HU0jb
Liverpool will enter the KO stage having set an English record in this competition.
Liverpool have now scored 22 goals in the group stage of the Champions League, beating the English club record of 21 previously held by Manchester United.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) December 6, 2017
Liverpool have scored 22 goals in the Champions League this season. They only scored 18 in 2004-05, when they won it.
— Richard Jolly (@RichJolly) December 6, 2017