Mohamed Salah came off the bench to score the quickest hat-trick in Champions League history as Liverpool ignited a sluggish season with a 7-1 demolition of Rangers.
Salah’s struggles in front of goal had been emblematic of Liverpool’s collective woes this campaign but the Egyptian was all smiles as he toyed with the Rangers defence.
Salah’s goals came in the 75th, 80th and 81st minutes on Thursday (AEDT) at Ibrox.
Watch Erling Haaland, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe in the 2022-23 UEFA Champions League, streaming ad-free, live and exclusive on Stan Sport
“Salah getting back to form and having fun is a big, big factor,” Craig Foster said on Stan Sport.
Bafetimbi Gomis previously held the record from 2011 when he took eight minutes to complete his hat-trick in a 7-1 win for Lyon against Dinamo Zagreb.
But Salah smashed that time with his stunning contribution, walking away with the match ball in Glasgow after putting the seal on a confidence-boosting win for Liverpool, which is in a strong position to advance to the round of 16.
READ MORE: Manly’s biggest stars drop stunning ultimatum
READ MORE: Australian Open chief makes key Djokovic call
READ MORE: ‘Ego and pride’ cost Kambosos his belts
It had been a night when Roberto Firmino had looked like being the hero – scoring twice and setting up another for Darwin Nunez after Rangers had gone ahead in the first half.
But Salah ensured he would dominate the headlines with three wonderfully taken goals.
Jurgen Klopp had opted to make changes with his team in total control after Nunez made it 3-1 in the 66th minute.
Salah scores record breaking hat-trick
Another substitute, Harvey Elliott, finished the scoring in the 87th.
Rangers were left rocked after dominating the early play.
The Scottish giant had avoided a heavy defeat in a 2-0 loss at Anfield a week ago only due to the heroics of goalkeeper Allan McGregor.
Rangers rock Liverpool with early goal
But in a vastly improved performance, it shocked Liverpool by taking the lead after 17 minutes.
Fabio Carvalho lost possession in his own half, and after a swift break Scott Arfield fired low past goalkeeper Alisson on the edge of the area.
It could have been even better for the home team when Antonio-Mirko Colak cut out Joe Gomez’s loose back pass but couldn’t find a finish.
NEW PODCAST! Craig Foster and Mark Bosnich are joined by former Bundesliga star Alexander Baumjohann to chat all things Champions League and European football
Liverpool equalised against the run of play after 24 minutes when Firmino headed in Konstantinos Tsimikas’ corner at the near post.
Liverpool went ahead 10 minutes into the second half when Gomez’s curled cross was turned home by Firmino again.
From there, the visitors took control and went 3-1 up when the Brazilian’s delightful back heel set up Nunez to strike. It looked like game over – but Salah had other ideas.
Inter silence Barcelona crowd
At the Camp Nou, Barcelona and Inter Milan played out an extraordinary 3-3 draw, with Robert Lewandowski scoring Barca’s equaliser in stoppage time.
The last-gasp header kept Barcelona alive in the competition after the visitors had taken a 3-2 lead with a goal from Robin Gosens in the 89th minute.
A loss would have meant elimination for Barcelona for a second consecutive season in the group stage.
But Xavi’s team remains in a difficult situation.
Barcelona has four points, three behind Inter in the fight for second in Group C.
Bayern Munich, which beat Viktoria Plzen 4-2 for its fourth victory in a row, has advanced with 12 points.
It would have been the first time since 1999 that the Catalan club failed to advance to the knockout stage in consecutive years.
Barcelona took the lead from close range after a cross by Sergi Roberto in the 40th minute, but Inter rallied with goals from Nicolo Barella in the 50th and Lautaro Martinez in the 63rd.
Inter’s first goal came after Gerard Pique let a ball go over his head as he apparently didn’t realise Barella was behind him.
The hosts equalised with Lewandowski in the 82nd, but Inter moved ahead again through Gosens.
Goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen saved Barcelona again with a great foot save in the final minutes.
Meanwhile, the superlatives are running out for Napoli and forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Champions League highlights: Napoli vs Ajax
Napoli advanced to the last 16 with two matches to spare after another goal and an assist from Kvaratskhelia helped his team beat Ajax 4-2.
The Italian club is atop both Serie A and its Champions League group and unbeaten in both competitions.
Napoli was in firm control and 2-0 up within 16 minutes thanks to goals from Hirving Lozano and Giacomo Raspadori.
Davy Klaassen pulled one back at the start of the second half but Kvaratskhelia restored Napoli’s cushion from the penalty spot.
Steven Bergwijn also converted a late penalty for Ajax before substitute Victor Osimhen sealed the result on his comeback.
Ajax, which lost 6-1 at home to Napoli last week, will be glad to see the back of them.
Champions League highlights: Atletico Madrid vs Club Brugge
In Madrid, Club Brugge held Atletico to a 0-0 draw to become only the second Belgian club to reach the round of 16.
The setback leaves Atletico in a difficult position to advance from Group B.
It was Atletico’s third straight match without a win in the European competition.
Antoine Griezmann started after Atletico and Barcelona reached a deal for his permanent transfer, but the France striker couldn’t give the hosts the spark they needed at the Metropolitano Stadium.
Spurs concede shambolic goal
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here
Discussion about this post