Genk 1-4 Liverpool: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scores twice on Champions League return

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scored two wonderful goals on his first return to Champions League action in 18 months as Liverpool beat Genk 4-1 on Wednesday.

The last time the midfielder stepped onto a Champions League field, he suffered a serious knee injury against Roma in April 2018, but it took him less than two minutes to find the back of the net with a lovely long-range finish.

There was another sensational effort from Oxlade-Chamberlain in the 57th minute, which was followed up by more delightful goals from Sadio Mane (77) and Mohamed Salah (87). Stephen Odey (88) replied for Genk, who deserved a goal for their performance, but Liverpool were just too strong.

It brings an end to a bizarre four-game losing run in away Champions League group stage games for Liverpool, who remain second in Group E after Napoli beat Red Bull Salzburg 3-2 in the other fixture. Genk stay bottom with one point.

It took less than two minutes for Oxlade-Chamberlain to rediscover his Champions League feet. Fabinho picked him out in a pocket of space at the top of the area and he took a touch before sweeping home into the bottom corner.

But Genk could twice have equalised quickly after with two balls over the top catching Liverpool out. The first effort was sent wide by Mbwana Samatta after a wonderful forward run before Alisson saved a shot from Paul Onuachu at point-blank range.

Liverpool tested Genk goalkeeper Gaetan Coucke a few times as the half went on, but it was the hosts who thought they had equalised in the 26th minute. Junya Ito flashed a cross into the area, which Samatta powerfully headed home, but as he wheeled off to celebrate, the goal was ruled out by the referee. It went to a VAR review and after around 90 seconds, the decision was corroborated and the goal remained disallowed with Ito just offside in the build-up - his head just in front of Andy Robertson in the tightest of calls.

Twelve minutes after the restart, Oxlade-Chamberlain once again found the net with the pick of the evening's goals. Roberto Firmino slipped the ball his team-mate at the top of the area, with Oxlade-Chamblerain pinging the ball goalwards with his first touch, using the outside of his foot. It looped onto the underside of the crossbar before nestling in the back of the net in a jaw-dropping show of skill.