On October 17, 2017, Liverpool faced NK Maribor in a UEFA Champions League Group E match at the Ljudski vrt Stadium in Maribor, Slovenia. Liverpool delivered an emphatic performance, winning 7-0 in what was one of their most dominant European victories under Jürgen Klopp.
Key Statistics and Analysis
- Scoreline and Goal Timings:
- Maribor: 0
- Liverpool: 7 (Roberto Firmino 4′, Philippe Coutinho 13′, Mohamed Salah 19′, 39′, Firmino 54′, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain 86′, Trent Alexander-Arnold 90′)
- Possession:
- Liverpool controlled the game with 61% possession, while Maribor had 39%. Liverpool’s dominance in possession allowed them to dictate the tempo and continuously apply pressure on Maribor’s defense.
- Shots:
- Liverpool registered 28 shots, with 13 on target, reflecting their attacking dominance and relentless pressure. Maribor managed only 4 shots, with 1 on target, struggling to create any meaningful opportunities against Liverpool’s organized defense.
- Passing Accuracy:
- Liverpool had a passing accuracy of 88%, completing 638 passes out of 724 attempts. Maribor had a passing accuracy of 73%, completing 289 passes out of 396 attempts. Liverpool’s superior ball control and movement allowed them to break down Maribor’s defense with ease.
- Defensive Statistics:
- Liverpool made 8 tackles compared to Maribor’s 14, as Maribor attempted to disrupt Liverpool’s rhythm. However, Liverpool’s defense, led by Joël Matip and Dejan Lovren, comfortably dealt with Maribor’s limited attacking threat, keeping a clean sheet.
- Set Pieces:
- Liverpool’s goals came from a mix of open play and set-piece situations. The scoring began early, with Roberto Firmino netting in the 4th minute after a low cross from Mohamed Salah. Philippe Coutinho doubled the lead in the 13th minute with a composed finish from a James Milner cross. Salah added two more goals in quick succession, capitalizing on defensive mistakes to give Liverpool a commanding 4-0 lead by halftime. Firmino’s second goal in the 54th minute came from a header off a corner, followed by late goals from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Trent Alexander-Arnold to seal the 7-0 rout.
- Individual Performances:
- Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino were standout performers for Liverpool, with Salah scoring two goals and providing an assist, while Firmino scored twice and contributed to the team’s pressing and buildup play. Philippe Coutinho was influential as well, controlling the tempo in midfield and scoring a goal. Trent Alexander-Arnold capped off the evening with a late goal, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scored his first Champions League goal for Liverpool. For Maribor, goalkeeper Jasmin Handanović made several saves to prevent an even heavier defeat.
- Tactical Overview:
- Liverpool, under Jürgen Klopp, deployed their usual 4-3-3 formation, focusing on high pressing and quick transitions. Maribor, managed by Darko Milanič, used a defensive 4-2-3-1 formation but struggled to cope with Liverpool’s relentless pressure and quick movement. Liverpool’s pace and direct play consistently exploited gaps in Maribor’s defense.
- Disciplinary:
- The match saw two yellow cards, both for Maribor (Aleks Pihler 43′, Damjan Bohar 75′). The fouls were tactical, aimed at breaking up Liverpool’s fast counter-attacks and preventing further chances.
- Corners and Offsides:
- Liverpool won 6 corners compared to Maribor’s 1, reflecting their sustained pressure in the attacking third. Liverpool were caught offside twice, while Maribor were caught offside once, highlighting the attempts by both teams to play direct football and find gaps in the opposition defense.
Summary
Liverpool’s 7-0 victory over Maribor was a dominant display of attacking football, with Jürgen Klopp’s side showcasing their full attacking potential. Goals from Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah, Philippe Coutinho, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Trent Alexander-Arnold highlighted Liverpool’s offensive depth and quality.
From the outset, Liverpool’s high pressing and quick transitions overwhelmed Maribor’s defense. Roberto Firmino’s early goal set the tone, and Liverpool continued to pile on the pressure, with Salah and Coutinho causing constant problems for Maribor’s backline. By halftime, Liverpool had already built a 4-0 lead, and they added three more goals in the second half to complete the rout.
Maribor struggled to contain Liverpool’s relentless attack and offered little going forward. Despite the best efforts of goalkeeper Jasmin Handanović, the Slovenian side was outclassed in every aspect of the game.
The victory was Liverpool’s largest away win in European competition, and it reinforced their position in the group, boosting their confidence in the UEFA Champions League campaign. The result also demonstrated Liverpool’s attacking depth and ability to dismantle teams with their dynamic front three and quick, high-intensity football.
