Liverpool Thrash Qarabag 6-0 to Seal Champions League Last-16 Place

Liverpool secured their place in the Champions League last 16 in emphatic fashion with a commanding 6–0 victory over Qarabag at Anfield, overcoming defensive setbacks to deliver one of their most complete European performances of the season.

Arne Slot’s side entered the contest aware that domestic struggles had not derailed their continental campaign, and once again showcased their strength on the European stage. The win ensured Liverpool finished third in the league phase and claimed automatic qualification for the knockout rounds.

Already short in defence, Liverpool’s back line was further weakened early on when Jeremie Frimpong was forced off after just four minutes with what appeared to be a hamstring injury. Wataru Endo replaced him, adding to an absentee list that included Joe Gomez (hip), Ibrahima Konaté (bereavement), Giovanni Leoni (ACL), Alexander Isak (leg) and Conor Bradley (knee).

Despite those concerns, Liverpool quickly established control.

The breakthrough arrived in the 15th minute when Alexis Mac Allister nudged the ball over the line at the back post following Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner. Virgil van Dijk flicked the delivery into his path, and although the goal initially appeared uncertain, the referee confirmed the ball had crossed the line.

It was Mac Allister’s second goal of the season, following his earlier header against Real Madrid.

Five minutes later, the hosts doubled their advantage. Hugo Ekitike rolled the ball into the path of Florian Wirtz, who drove forward before calmly drilling a low finish past Kochalski from 12 yards.

It was Wirtz’s first Champions League goal for Liverpool and his fifth in all competitions since December 27 a tally unmatched by any Premier League player in that period. The strike underlined the growing understanding between Wirtz and Ekitike, who have consistently combined in recent weeks.

Liverpool remained dominant after the interval and extended their lead shortly after half-time. In the 50th minute, Szoboszlai rolled a cleverly worked free-kick into the path of Mohamed Salah, who curled a superb effort into the top-left corner. The goal made it 3–0 and marked Szoboszlai’s sixth consecutive Champions League match for Liverpool with either a goal or an assist a feat previously achieved only by Salah himself.

It was also Salah’s 80th Champions League appearance for the club, equalling Jamie Carragher’s record.

Seven minutes later, Ekitike added a fourth.

The French forward capitalised on a mistake from Mustafazada, burst past Medina and, after drawing the goalkeeper, rolled the ball into the bottom corner with composure.

The scoring continued in the 61st minute when Mac Allister claimed his second of the night. After the ball ricocheted kindly into his path, the Argentine rounded Kochalski and finished confidently to make it 5–0, leaving Qarabag facing damage limitation.

Liverpool eased their intensity in the latter stages but still found time for a sixth in stoppage time. In the 90th minute, Van Dijk surged forward and played Federico Chiesa through on goal. Although the Italian initially appeared offside, VAR confirmed the goal, and Chiesa finished from close range.

It was Van Dijk’s third assist of the night, making him the first central defender ever to register three assists in a single Champions League match.

The result capped a dominant performance and ensured Liverpool finished third in the overall standings. Five English clubs ended the league phase inside the top eight, alongside Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Sporting CP. Newcastle were the only English side to miss out, finishing 12th, while last season’s winners Paris Saint-Germain placed 11th.

For Qarabag, defeat did little to diminish their campaign. The 12-time Azerbaijani champions, who had never progressed beyond the group stage in their previous appearance in 2017–18, finished 22nd and secured a place in the play-offs.

Liverpool, meanwhile, head into the knockout stages with growing confidence. The performance highlighted both their attacking depth and their ability to adapt despite mounting defensive injuries. Finishing inside the top eight also spares the Reds an additional play-off round, easing the workload in what remains a demanding season domestically and in Europe.