Salah hatrick helps Liverpool thrash Ranger, Spurs edge past 10-man Frankfurt

A hat-trick from substitute Mohamed Salah helped Liverpool come from behind to thrash Rangers 7-1 on Wednesday to put themselves on the verge of qualification for the Champions League knockout stages.

In a cauldron-like atmosphere in Glasgow, a much-changed Liverpool side struggled to get going early on, and found themselves behind as Scott Arfield slotted home 17 minutes in to lift the roof off Ibrox.

That lead lasted less than eight minutes, however, as Roberto Firmino continued his prolific season with a near-post header to level things up from a corner.

Liverpool were much the better team in the second half and deservedly edged back in front 10 minutes after the interval, Firmino converting Joe Gomez’s pinpoint low cross.

With Rangers chasing the game, a fine finish from close-season signing Darwin Nunez put the game beyond the hosts before Salah, who started the match on the bench, fired a six-minute treble to turn a hard-fought win into a rout.

Harvey Elliott added to the home side’s embarrassment with a late seventh, putting the seal on a victory that means Liverpool are second in Group A, and need just one point from their final two matches to be sure of a spot in the knockout stages, while Rangers are bottom, without a single point.

TOTTENHAM – EINTRACT FRANKFURT 3-2

Son Heung-min struck twice to help Tottenham Hotspur edge towards qualifying for the Champions League knockout stages after they came from behind to beat 10-man Eintracht Frankfurt 3-2 on Wednesday.

In a busy first half, two well-taken goals from Son either side of a Harry Kane penalty calmed the home fans after Europa League champions Frankfurt had taken an early lead through Daichi Kamada.

Any hopes of a Frankfurt comeback were dashed on the hour mark when they were reduced to 10 men after defender Tuta was sent off for his second booking after twice bringing down Son on the left wing.

The game finished more nervy than it should have, though, as the German side pulled a goal back with three minutes remaining when Faride Alidou headed in from an inswinging corner. But even with Kane missing another penalty, Spurs held on.

The win put Antonio Conte’s side top of Group D on seven points. However, it is still all to play for as Olympique de Marseille and Sporting are tied on six points, and Frankfurt remain in the hunt on four with two games left.

“Everything is in our hands, we have the possibility in the next game to go through which would be a big achievement because this is our target for the season, to get to the next stage of Champions League,” Conte told a news conference.

Spurs were held 0-0 at Frankfurt last week and the visitors started fast, their pressure paying off in the 14th minute when Tottenham defender Eric Dier lost control of the ball and Sebastian Rode squared it for Kamada to stroke in from close range.

Their joy was cut short six minutes later when Kane turned expertly during a Spurs counter-attack and played the ball through to Son who sprinted on goal, took two touches and side-footed past goalkeeper Kevin Trapp.

BARGED OVER

The equaliser also sparked Spurs into life, particularly Kane who burst forward in the 27th minute, riding three challenges before being barged over by midfielder Kristijan Jakic.

Initially, the referee waved away appeals for a penalty but after being referred to view the incident on the pitchside monitor, pointed to the spot from which Kane coolly converted for his 257th goal in all competitions for the club.

Spurs made it 3-1 in the 36th minute when midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg ran to the byline and floated in a cross for Son who struck the ball beautifully with his left foot into the roof of the net.

The South Korean could have had a hat-trick before halftime, but his angled effort was stopped by the outstretched boot of Trapp.

Son still tormented Frankfurt’s defence after the break, resulting in Tuta being shown a red card for twice bringing down the forward in the space of three minutes.

Just when the game was petering out, Frankfurt scored a second from a corner when Alidou rose highest to head in.

Kane had the chance to seal the win from the penalty spot after substitute Bryan Gil had been tripped in the box in the first minute of stoppage time.

He blasted his effort over the bar and Frankfurt pressed forward but Spurs held out for their first win in the competition since beating Marseille last month.

Conte was not happy with how Spurs finished the game.

“The teaching has to be that no-one has to consider the game ended,” he said.

“Now we are talking with a smile because we won but imagine if we finished with a draw. That would have been a disaster.”

Spurs can seal their place in the last 16 for the first time in three years when they host Sporting on Oct. 26 when Frankfurt entertain Marseille.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP STAGE – Round 4

Napoli (2) 4 Ajax (0) 2
Atlético Madrid (0) 0 Club Brugge (0) 0
Rangers (1) 1 Liverpool (1) 7
Barcelona (1) 3 Internazionale (0) 3
Viktoria Plzeň (0) 2 Bayern München (4) 4
Bayer Leverkusen (0) 0 Porto (1) 3
Tottenham Hotspur (3) 3 Eintracht Frankfurt (1) 2
Sporting CP (0) 0 Olympique Marseille (2) 2