Maribor vs Liverpool Live Score and Commentary, UEFA Champions League 2017-18

Well, it was a rout in the end. Liverpool started really well and the early goal helped ease the nerves. With Sevilla's loss at Moscow, Liverpool are now top of Group E and will want to keep it that way. As for the game, well, Maribor simply couldn't recover after the early goal and their game plan was dismantled in the opening 15 minutes as Liverpool put three past Handanovic.

Jurgen Klopp was able to sub out key players as Liverpool wrapped up the result in the first half, and that could help them against Tottenham this weekend. A good night for the Reds, one to forget for the Slovenians.

This is Amit Mishra and It's been a pleasure covering the game. If you have any suggestions, you can Tweet @Leamitmishra. Have a good night, lads and lasses!

FULLTIME! The ref puts Maribor out of their misery.

An awful night for Maribor defender Suler. He tries to block Trent-Alexander's shot but is only able to deflect it into his own net. Seventh heaven for the Reds.

90' GOAL FOR LIVERPOOL!!! Alexander-Arnold, with the aid of a deflection!

89' Yellow card for Hotic for a foul on Emre Can.

Suler, like the rest of the Maribor defence, has had a terrible night. His error results in Oxlade-Chamberlain winning the ball. He passes it to Sturridge, gets it back and slots it calmly past Handanovic.

86' GOAL FOR LIVERPOOL!!! Oxlade-Chamberlain with his first Liverpool goal!

85' The Maribor fans have been brilliant and have cheered throughout despite the scoreline. Kudos!

84' Solanke finds space on the left but overruns with the ball.

Liverpool are the first English club to score four goals in the first half of an away fixture in the Champions League. #LFC
— Emma Sanders (@em_sandy) October 17, 2017

Substitution for Maribor: Mesanovic is on for Bohar.

81' Yellow card for Vrhovec for a foul on Coutinho.

79' Milner dribbles past the Viler and nearly finds a Liverpool teammate in the box. Liverpool are venturing forward every now and then apart from keeping the ball, of course.

76' CHANCE FOR LIVERPOOL! Terrible clearance by Handanovic as he passes it straight to Oxlade-Chamberlain. His shot is saved though as the keeper atones for his mistake.

Substitution for Liverpool: Solanke is on for Wijnaldum.

74' The problem with Maribor is they can't really be extravagant while going forward even now. Liverpool can switch back on and nail them on the counter anytime. They did with a low block, so who's to say they can't with open spaces?

71' Boy it's going to be 20 hard minutes. Liverpool are happy with their five goals and the game is being played in first gear. Maribor's woeful passing isn't helping at all.

69' Liverpool's passing has been slick. Sturridge and Moreno combine well and nearly create an opening. But it's snuffed out by the Maribor defence.

Substitution for Liverpool: Sturridge is on for Firmino.

67' Maribor nearly breach the Liverpool goal, but again, their passing lets them down in the final third.

As we speak, Spartak have taken the lead in the other group game against Sevilla. As things stand, Liverpool will go top of group E!

64' Liverpool are still showing signs of attacking Maribor. Now would perhaps be the right time to bring Sturridge on as his confidence is fairly low after a goal-drought.

63' It's been a pretty well-mannered game so far. Perhaps Maribor should have ruffled some of the Liverpool feathers with a tackle or two and upset the flow. It's been way too one-sided from the onset.

Elsewhere in the group, Sevilla are drawing away from home to Spartak Moscow. A favourable result for Liverpool!

59' It's about game-management for Liverpool now. They are happy to just keep the ball.

A raft of substitutions there. Liverpool have done a good job and Salah will be fresher for the big game against Tottenham on Sunday. As for Maribor, well, it won't be pleasant for the subs coming on when they are five nothing down!

Substitution for Maribor: Pihler is on for Ahmedi.

Substitution for Maribor: Hotic is on for Kramaric.

Substitution for Liverpool: Oxlade-Chamberlain is on for Mo Salah.

Liverpool won a freekick near the corner flag and Coutinho's picked out Firmino pretty well. All Firmino had to do was glance it over the Maribor defence. This is a rout and a half.

54' GOAL FOR LIVERPOOL!!! Roberto Firmino with his second!

54' Good save by Handanovic. The custodian got his hand to it!

53' Right. Liverpool win a freekick at the edge of the box. Coutinho territory, this!

51' That seemed like a high foot by Rajcevic on Lovren in the Maribor penalty box, but the ref had none of it. A tad lucky perhaps!

49' Another corner for Liverpool comes to nothing. They are still pressing high up the pitch. Will we get to see Oxlade-Chamberlain in action with the game pretty much done and dusted?

46' Liverpool get an early corner but nothing comes of it. Seems they won't be easing off this half!

The second half is underway!!!

HALFTIME: There's no added time. Liverpool have thoroughly dominated the game. Maribor's gameplan was destroyed in the opening 5 minutes and they haven't been able to stop the marauding Liverpool attack so far.

44' CHANCE FOR LIVERPOOL! Coutinho is found by a Wijnaldum pass, in a position from where he usually cuts-in and scores many wonderful goals. This time though, his shot is saved. Firmino isn't able to make anything from the rebound.

42' CHANCE FOR MARIBOR! They win a freekick and Ahmedi puts in a good ball, but Suler can only put it wide! Big chance for the hosts. Should have pulled one back. The Liverpool defence just switched off!

Milner was again at the heart of the move as he found Moreno darting on the left. The Spaniard laid off a nice pass for the on-rushing duo of Salah and Firmino, and luckily for the former, he got the final touch. Mo Salah is on a hattrick, fellas!

40' GOAL FOR LIVERPOOL!!! Salah or Firmino? Who got the final touch? Seems like the Egyptian!

38' Kabah seems like Maribor's biggest threat even though he is playing in midfield. They are just not able to hold the ball well enough.

37' Milner's passing has been immaculate so far. His poise and distribution have helped the Liverpool front three. He combines well Salah, but Liverpool don't make anything out of it.

35' Alexander-Arnold whips in a beautiful cross for Firmino who passes it to Salah. His cross finds Coutinho, but he isn't able to control it well. Again, half a chance for the Reds.

32' Liverpool knock it around well again and Salah tries an extravagant shot from the outside of the box. Easily saved by Handanovic though. Half chance, perhaps.

30' A sustained spell of possession for Maribor ends with Bohar trying to pierce the Liverpool defence with a through ball. His pass is overhit though. Safe to say Liverpool have taken their foot off the gas.

28' CHANCE FOR Maribor! They finally manage to string a move as Kabha's pass is held well by Tavares. The striker finds Viler who's shot is saved easily by Karius. That's more like it! Give us a good game!

8 - Mohamed Salah & Roberto Firmino have now both been directly involved in eight competitive goals for Liverpool this season. Pals pic.twitter.com/gvP6nMorYD
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 17, 2017