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Arne Slot’s Liverpool delivered one of their most complete European performances of the season on Wednesday night, dismantling Qarabag 6-0 at Anfield to secure automatic qualification for the Champions League last 16. Under the lights and in front of a packed crowd of 60,043, Arne Slot’s side combined control, creativity, and ruthless finishing to put the Azerbaijani champions to the sword.
Goals from Alexis Mac Allister, who scored twice, Florian Wirtz, Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike, and substitute Federico Chiesa capped a dominant display that underlined Liverpool’s growing confidence on the continental stage. The result confirmed a third-placed finish in the league phase and, crucially, allowed the Reds to avoid the knockout round play-offs. For Slot and his players, this was not just a big win. It was a statement.
Early Setback Fails to Disrupt Liverpool’s Rhythm
Liverpool were forced into an unexpected change almost immediately when Jeremie Frimpong pulled up injured inside the opening minutes. Wataru Endo was quickly introduced and asked to fill in at right-back, a position he has not regularly occupied this season.
Despite the disruption, Liverpool never lost their composure. Qarabag showed early intent, with Camilo Duran testing Alisson Becker from range, but it was a comfortable save and a brief moment of hope for the visitors.
At the other end, Hugo Ekitike responded with a low strike from the edge of the box that narrowly missed the target. That chance proved to be a warning shot. From that point on, Liverpool took full control of the contest.
Six-Minute Burst Breaks Qarabag Resistance
The breakthrough arrived in the 15th minute and came from a well-worked set piece. Ekitike flicked on a corner from the left toward the back post, where Virgil van Dijk had peeled away from his marker. The captain nodded the ball across goal, and Alexis Mac Allister was perfectly placed to guide it over the line with his head. The opening goal lifted the tempo inside Anfield, and Qarabag barely had time to regroup before Liverpool struck again.
Only moments later, Ekitike once again played a key role. The French forward held off two challenges with impressive strength before laying the ball into the path of Florian Wirtz. The German midfielder drove forward confidently and finished with precision, drilling a low effort past Mateusz Kochalski from the edge of the box. At 2-0, the game already felt like it was slipping away from the visitors.
Reds Could Have Been Further Ahead Before the Break
Liverpool continued to press and move the ball with purpose. Andy Robertson pushed high down the left, Dominik Szoboszlai dictated play between the lines, and Cody Gakpo frequently found pockets of space inside the Qarabag half.
Robertson went close with a driven effort, Szoboszlai forced a sharp reaction from Kochalski, and Gakpo saw a promising chance blocked. The Reds were fluid, confident, and aggressive, and the only surprise at half-time was that the scoreline remained at just two goals.
Qarabag, for their part, struggled to cope with Liverpool’s intensity and pressing. Their attempts to play out from the back were repeatedly shut down, and they offered little threat going forward.
Salah’s Moment of Magic Sets the Tone After the Restart
Any hopes Qarabag had of mounting a second-half response were extinguished within five minutes of the restart.
From a free-kick situation, Dominik Szoboszlai produced a clever backheel to Mohamed Salah, reversing the roles from a similar routine earlier in the week. Salah took one touch and curled a stunning effort into the top corner, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance. It was a classic Salah goal, combining intelligence, technique, and calm execution, and it effectively ended the contest as a competitive spectacle.
Ekitike and Mac Allister Punish Qarabag Errors
Liverpool smelled blood and continued to attack with intent. The fourth goal arrived when Qarabag defender Bahlul Mustafazade failed to clear his lines under pressure. Ekitike reacted instantly, racing through on goal and showing composure beyond his years to slot the ball past Kochalski. The striker’s performance deserved a goal, and it capped a night in which his hold-up play and movement caused constant problems for the visitors.
Mac Allister then added his second of the evening just after the hour mark. Matheus Silva inadvertently nudged the ball into the Argentine’s path, and the midfielder showed great awareness to round the goalkeeper and tap into an empty net. At 5-0, Liverpool were in complete cruise control.
Chiesa Adds the Final Flourish
Arne Slot took the opportunity to rotate his squad in the closing stages, introducing youngsters and resting key players ahead of upcoming domestic commitments. Despite the changes, Liverpool’s hunger for goals never faded. Alexis Mac Allister went close to completing a hat-trick, only to be denied by a last-ditch intervention, while the Reds continued to move the ball with sharpness and intent.
The sixth and final goal arrived in the dying moments of the match. Virgil van Dijk surged forward from defence with authority, drawing defenders toward him before slipping a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Federico Chiesa. The Italian winger made no mistake, finishing confidently to cap a memorable night at Anfield.
Team News and Tactical Flexibility Pay Off
Arne Slot made two changes from the side that lost narrowly at AFC Bournemouth, with Hugo Ekitike and Andy Robertson coming into the starting line-up. Ryan Gravenberch was deployed at centre-back, highlighting Slot’s tactical flexibility amid defensive absences.
Despite the early injury to Frimpong, Liverpool adapted seamlessly. Endo’s calm presence, Gravenberch’s positional discipline, and Van Dijk’s leadership ensured Qarabag were rarely allowed a sight of goal.
The balance between control in midfield and sharpness in attack was particularly impressive and reflected a team growing more comfortable under Slot’s methods.
What the Win Means for Liverpool
This emphatic victory confirmed Liverpool’s place in the Champions League last 16 and ensured they avoided the additional strain of the knockout round play-offs. With their European campaign set to resume in March, Slot’s men can now turn their focus to domestic competitions with confidence and momentum.
Finishing third in the league phase also reinforces Liverpool’s status as serious contenders. Performances like this, marked by depth, discipline, and attacking quality, suggest a side capable of going deep into the tournament.
Final Thoughts
Liverpool 6-0 Qarabag will be remembered as one of those European nights where everything clicked. From Mac Allister’s intelligent movement to Salah’s brilliance, from Ekitike’s physical presence to Van Dijk’s commanding display, this was a team performance in the truest sense.
Anfield witnessed a ruthless, composed, and confident Liverpool side that knew exactly what was at stake and delivered without hesitation. If this performance is any indication, the Reds will head into the Champions League knockout stages with belief and momentum firmly on their side.
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YNWA (You’ll Never Walk Alone)!
The Liverpool FC Times Team
LiverpoolFCTimes.com