Just like that, all of Arne Slot’s Liverpool critics have quietened down.
Last night, Anfield witnessed the kind of European resurrection that defines the club’s identity. Facing a 1-0 aggregate deficit from the first leg in Istanbul, Arne Slot’s Liverpool didn’t just win; they dismantled Galatasaray 4-0 (aggregate 4-1) to book a mouth-watering Champions League quarter-final clash with holders Paris Saint-Germain.
Here are the five key talking points from a night where the “Liverpool Mojo” finally returned.
In the words of Anfield royalty, Steven Gerrard, the win was a “perfect night” for Slot and his side., who seriously regained their mojo, at the expense of their shellshocked visitors.
Here are five main talking points to digest from the scintillating mid-week win, as Salah broke even more Liverpool records, among other notable moments.
1. Salah continues to be a record breaker
Salah was thrown back into the Liverpool starting XI for this second leg showdown with Buruk’s men, and he definitely justified his manager’s inclusion on a record-breaking night for the Egyptian.
He did miss a penalty, but he didn’t let this minor bump in the road stop him from collecting Liverpool’s game-clinching fourth strike of the evening.
It was a beautifully taken goal by Liverpool’s main man, who rolled back the years to his Reds prime with the sumptuous curled effort.
Off the back of this memorable goal, hitting the back of the net, Salah is now up to 50 goals in the Champions League in total, a feat no other African player has ever managed.
Scoring ten plus goals now for the Reds across his last nine campaigns, Wednesday night was a reminder that class is permanent when it comes to the much-loved number 11.
2. Szoboszlai is Liverpool’s player of the season
While Salah reaffirmed his legendary status at Anfield during that one-sided 4-0 victory, Szoboszlai strengthened his grip on being Liverpool’s player of the season, during what has been a wobbly collective campaign for the most part on Merseyside.
Winning seven duels, while also collecting a goal and amassing two key passes, the Hungarian was near faultless all across the win, as Liverpool’s glue in the forward positions.
Even tipped as being future captain material by Gerrard at the close of the memorable night, the sublime number eight really has stepped up this campaign, when others have let their performance levels dwindle.
3. Slot needs this Wirtz to show up more
At this point, it’s almost expected that Szoboszlai will perform to the best of his abilities when the pressure is ramped up.
The same can’t be said for Florian Wirtz, who has often floundered this season when the spotlight has been on him, as seen in his wasteful display during the first leg out in Turkey.
On Wednesday night, on the other hand, the hot-and-cold German looked every bit the £116m splashed out on his services, with a bumper eight chances created off the back of the ex-Bayer Leverkusen playmaker constantly finding openings.
Wirtz will hope he’s retained for Liverpool’s next Premier League clash on the road at Brighton and Hove Albion, as he needs to show off these impressive levels more regularly, in domestic action.
4. Could Liverpool win the Champions League?
Former Reds stopper David James, in the build-up to this vital second leg, boldly stated that he reckoned Liverpool could go all the way in the Champions League and lift the revered trophy.
This is still a wild prediction, but funnier things have happened in football, as Liverpool now prepares to face Luis Enrique’s Paris St. Germain in the next high-stakes knock-out round.
Liverpool’s Road to Budapest 2026:
| Round | Opponent | Dates |
| Quarter finals | PSG | April 8 (A) April 14 (H) |
| Semi finals | Real Madrid or Bayern Munich | April 28/29 May 5/6 |
| Final | Arsenal, Barcelona, Sporting, or Atletico Madrid | May 30 |
With the Parisian giants just fresh off hammering Chelsea 8-2 over two legs, Liverpool will be worried.
But, anything can happen over two legs, and with the Anfield roar back in full force after this 4-0 victory, PSG – equally – will feel a little intimidated by having to try and topple Slot and Co. on their own turf.
5. Slot needs Premier League wins as well
It would be very typical of Liverpool’s misfiring season if they backed up such a confidence-boosting win with a defeat on their travels to face Fabian Hurzeler’s Seagulls.
With only eight clashes left across the gruelling 38-game season, Slot’s men still have to face Manchester United, Chelsea, and Aston Villa in league action, meaning the wins can’t dry up if they want to finish inside the top four spaces.
Slot spoke with a fire in his belly at the full-time whistle, as Liverpool aims to produce such confident displays back in the bread and butter of the Premier League.
