Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp launched a passionate defence of captain Jordan Henderson by insisting the midfielder has the hardest job in football following in the footsteps of Steven Gerrard.

A scintillating display of football from Liverpool’s ‘Fab Four’ saw Jurgen Klopp’s side blaze their way into the Champions League knockout phase with a 7-0 victory over Spartak Moscow.

Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham all won on a historic Champions League night for English football.

A scintillating display of football from Liverpool's 'Fab Four' saw Jurgen Klopp's side blaze their way into the Champions League knockout phase with a 7-0 victory over Spartak Moscow.

It is the second time this season Liverpool have been forced to act against the Russian club.

Sadio Mane is confident Liverpool will continue to cause problems for defenders in the latter stages of the Champions League — although first they have to get into the knockout stages.

Liverpool showed their two faces again last night, throwing threw away a three-goal lead as Sevilla fought back to earn a dramatic 3-3 draw deep into stoppage time.

Spartak Moscow have been hit with a partial stadium closure by UEFA for 'racist behaviour' towards Liverpool striker Bobby Adekanye during last month's Youth League match.

Spartak Moscow have been charged with racist behaviour by UEFA after Liverpool striker Bobby Adekanye was targeted during last week's Youth League match.

Welcome to the annual bar lowering championships, earlier than usual, where Liverpool are looking for their umpteenth title in a row. Practice makes perfect, after all.

Spartak Moscow's fans are in trouble with UEFA again after European football's governing body opened proceedings against the club for incidents during yesterday's 1-1 Champions League draw with Liverpool.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp arrived in Russia looking forward to his first visit to Moscow - but his first evening in the capital left him agitated and frustrated.

At least we didn’t lose sight of the leaders. Beating Leicester keeps City and United within raha ha ha ha ha ha. Ah no, not with a straight face…

Russia’s preparation for the 2018 World Cup is lurching from crisis to crisis...

Robbie Keane says joining Everton would be the right move for Aiden McGeady.

Martin O’Neill is convinced that Aiden McGeady is still good enough to play in the Premier League.

While so much has been made of the change in Ireland’s management, Aiden McGeady claims there has also been a change within the new manager himself.

“Three-nil is better than the last time we played them,” says Aiden McGeady with a thin smile, as he searches for the positives from Ireland’s latest encounter with a Germany side he reckons is “right up there” with the very best in world football.

Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni has seen his options hit ahead of next month’s key World Cup qualifiers against Sweden and Austria after three players, headed by Aiden McGeady, dropped out of his squad.

On the brink of what will be his 60th cap for his country, you’d understand if Aiden McGeady would only want to accentuate the positive.

Aiden McGeady has admitted Spartak Moscow may look to cash in on him this summer as he enters the final year of his contract in Russia.

Aiden McGeady has admitted Spartak Moscow may look to cash in on him this summer as he enters the final year of his contract in Russia.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon spoke of his immense pride at retaining the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title yesterday, but Rangers’ absence from the top flight this season for the first time since the foundation of league football in Scotland in 1890 had turned the traditional two-horse race for the championship into a one-horse canter from the outset.

Aiden McGeady has been ruled out of the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup qualifying matches against Sweden and Austria due to injury.

Neil Lennon will take the inspiration of Sir Alex Ferguson into his preparations for the first-leg of Celtic’s Champions League last-16 clash against Juventus at Parkhead tonight.

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon insists he will not be intimidated by a 60,000 sell-out Celtic Park tonight.

Aiden McGeady got “cold feet” about joining Wigan at the last minute, the Irish Examiner understands.

Barcelona not only have the greatest player football’s ever seen; they’re the template for the game’s future, right down to its acclaimed La Masia academy. Grant Wahl was granted unprecedented access to the men who made Messi.

Kilmarnock 1 Celtic 3

Kris Commons believes Celtic are a match for anyone in the last 16 of the Champions League but would prefer a tie against boyhood heroes Manchester United.

Fraser Forster revealed he played during Celtic's 2-1 Champions League win over Spartak Moscow at Parkhead last night believing Barcelona had made the Hoops chances of qualifying for the last-16 easier by taking the lead against Benfica in the other Group G tie.

Celtic 2 Spartak Moscow 1

Celtic 2 Spartak Moscow 1

Neil Lennon brought back his big guns for Celtic’s Champions League Group G decider against Spartak Moscow at Parkhead.

Neil Lennon believes he is on the cusp of his greatest achievement as Celtic manager as he prepares for tonight’s Champions League Group G decider against Spartak Moscow at Parkhead.

James Forrest insists there is no chance of Celtic dwelling on their disappointment against Arbroath as they aim to secure a place in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Neil Lennon has called on the Scottish Football As

Celtic captain Scott Brown is in contention to face Inverness tomorrow – but is still likely to face surgery after the visit of Spartak Moscow.

Neil Lennon knows Celtic’s Champions League last-16 hopes are in the balance following their 2-1 Champions League defeat by Benfica at the Stadium of Light.

Benfica 2 Celtic 1

Benfica 2 Celtic 1

Spartak Moscow 0 Barcelona 3

Neil Lennon will invoke the spirit of the Lisbon Lions as he attempts to guide Celtic through to the knockout stages of the Champions League when they play Benfica tonight.

Jubilant Celtic manager Neil Lennon last night hailed his heroic Bhoys after the Scottish outfit stunned Barcelona.