Jordon Ibe handed Liverpool a crucial 1-0 victory over Rubin Kazan on Thursday to give the Reds their first win in the Europa League this season.
After three successive draws, Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp was hoping his team could carry over the momentum from Saturday's Premier League 3-1 win over Chelsea when they travelled to Russia.
And they did not disappoint, dominating for much of the match and Ibe's 53rd-minute strike ensuring a first away win in Europe in three years against a side that has in the past claimed the scalps of Chelsea, Tottenham and Wigan.
Ibe provided the breakthrough when he sprinted away midway inside the Rubin Kazan half before shooting low into the far left corner for his first goal in a Liverpool shirt.
“Jordon is a skilful player and a big talent - fast, strong, good at dribbling,” Klopp told the Liverpool Echo newspaper. “He has to learn so much but has a real good base. He feels good. You could see it in this match. Like everyone, he has a long way to go. If he's prepared to listen then he will be very good,” said Klopp, who was seen searching out Ibe after the game to embrace the 19-year-old London-born winger.
Klopp's former club Borussia Dortmund secured their place in the knockout stages along with Napoli; the Germans beating Qabala of Azerbaijan 4-0 and the Italian club notching up a 5-0 thrashing of Midtjylland of Denmark.
There was more heartbreak for Celtic, however, the Scots going down 2-1 to Norwegian outfit Molde at home. It meant Molde also qualified for the last-32 knock-out stage, with Celtic bottom with just two points from four matches.
Molde, coached by former Manchester United striker Ole Gunnar Solksjaer, celebrated the three points courtesy of a goal from 40-year-old skipper Daniel Helstad who became the oldest scorer in the history of the tournament.
“This means a lot to me -- it's a nice record to have,” Helstad told uefa.com. “I am from Molde; I have played there all my life and I have such a strong feeling for this small club and city. For us to shock Europe like this is an amazing feeling and the highlight of my career.”
Tottenham stayed on course for the next stage with a 2-1 home win over Anderlecht with Moussa Dembele grabbing a winner three minutes from time as the Londoners went top of Group J.
They are a point ahead of Monaco who drew 1-1 at Qarabag in Azerbaijan.
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