Liverpool overcame their Premier League woes to advance to the Champions League quarterfinals by defeating Galatasaray 4-0 at Anfield on Wednesday.
Dominik Szoboszlai, Hugo Ekitike, Ryan Gravenberch, and Mohamed Salah scored to help Arne Slot’s side overcome a 1-0 first-leg deficit to face defending champions Paris Saint-Germain in the last eight.
Slot wanted a response from the English champions after they were booed off at Anfield on Sunday for the latest in a string of poor performances, a 1-1 draw against struggling Tottenham.
Liverpool is currently in fifth place in the Premier League, and the Champions League has the potential to save both the season and Slot’s job.
The Dutchman rested some of his players over the weekend and was rewarded with a commanding performance that could have resulted in a far more comprehensive scoreline.
Galatasaray’s chances of causing an upset were dashed within the first few minutes when star scorer Victor Osimhen injured his forearm in a clash with Ibrahima Konaté.
The Nigerian international was clearly hobbled as he played until halftime before being replaced by Leroy Sané.
By that point, the Turkish champs’ lead had been erased.
Szoboszlai has been Liverpool’s standout performer in a difficult season, and he leveled the tie with a cushioned finish from a well-worked corner on 25 minutes.
Galatasaray somehow avoided further punishment before the break.
Salah squandered a golden opportunity to double Liverpool’s advantage when he failed to chip Ugurcan Cakır.
Florian Wirtz’s deflected effort went just over, and Cakır saved another Szoboszlai shot.
The Turkey goalkeeper then saved Salah’s weak penalty after Szoboszlai was brought down inside the box.
However, the floodgates opened for the visitors in the second half.
Salah atoned for his penalty blunder with an inch-perfect assist for Ekitike to score.
After Salah’s initial attempt was stopped, Gravenberch scored the rebound two minutes later.
Salah has been a ghost of his former self this season, following a public spat with Slot after being released in December.
He could and should have scored many more on the night, but he did score his 50th Champions League goal in style, a beautiful backheel from Wirtz.
Salah also hit the crossbar before asking to be substituted due to an injury worry, as Galatasaray provided little resistance to Liverpool’s surges of attacks.
The Reds have a drastically different battle against PSG, who defeated Chelsea 8-2 on aggregate to advance to the last eight.
Slot has consistently praised the French champions.
Liverpool came as near as anyone to defeating PSG last season, with Luis Enrique’s side winning on penalties in the last 16 after a dramatic clash.
