Liverpool continue red-hot form with a dominant win over Genk

Reigning European champions Liverpool continued their quest to retain the Champions League with a dominant 4-1 win over Belgian side Genk.

The Reds were, of course, heavy favourites coming into the match-up and delivered as expected thanks to a brace from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and goals from Sadio Mane and Mo Salah.

The reigning Belgian domestic champions were a staggering 17/2 to get a win but Liverpool‘s firepower was too much to handle.

However, Genk did score a late consolation goal, which was highly deserved as they did cause Jurgen Klopp’s side many problems.

It was a clinical game on Liverpool’s end as they did struggle throughout the game with a lack of quality being evident. However, their finishing was superb and the gulf in class saw them get past a decent Genk side who put up a good game.

Liverpool started off in electric fashion as they opened the scoring in just the second minute of the match thanks to a sensational Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain strike. The Englishman has a habit of scoring long-range efforts and this one was no different as he drilled a low finish from 25 yards to give the Reds the lead.

Genk followed up with a great chance when Paul Onuachu went in behind Liverpool’s defence and forced Alisson to make a save.

Klopp’s side were close to making it two when Roberto Firmino played in Sadio Mane with an exquisite rabona pass but the Senegalese international’s shot was saved.

A minute later, Genk had the ball in the back of the net but it was disallowed due to offside. Ally Mbwana Samatta towered over James Milner to head it into the back of the net but it was chalked off for offside in the build-up to the goal.

The first half drew to a close with both sides failing to create anything more. The Reds started the second half in the same way they did the first – an Oxlade-Chamberlain goal albeit this time it was 12 mins in from the restart.

The midfielder added another beautiful goal to his collection with an exceptional outside the foot flick from the edge of the area that bounced in off the crossbar.

Jurgen Klopp’s men were cruising but managed to get a third in the 77th minute to kill the game off. It was brilliant work from Liverpool’s front three with Mane adding a lofted finish past the goalkeeper to make it 3-0.

Six minutes later they had a chance to make it four but Gini Wijnaldum dragged a shot wide. The ball fell kindly to the Dutchman but he was unable to convert.

However, the Reds did it make it four just moments later. Mo Salah gets on the scoresheet and deservedly so as he has put in a superb performance. The Egyptian gets past two defenders and puts the ball into the far corner.

Genk played well and they managed to at least get a consolation goal straight after the fourth goal went in. Two substitutes combine as Dieumerci Ndongala cuts it back for Stephen Odey to prods home.

It was a clinical game on Liverpool’s end as they did struggle throughout the game with a lack of quality being evident. However, their finishing was superb and the gulf in class saw them get past a decent Genk side who put up a good game.