From the early minutes through to the final whistle, this Champions League encounter unfolded precisely as Liverpool manager Arne Slot would have envisioned in his most optimistic pre-match thoughts. The Reds delivered a commanding 6-0 thrashing of Azerbaijani champions Qarabag, securing safe passage to the competition's last-16 stage with considerable ease and without needing to expend excessive energy.
A Near-Perfect European Night for Liverpool
Perhaps just as significantly as the victory itself, Liverpool managed to avoid the additional burden of the play-off round that some have dubbed the "punishment play-offs," granting their fatigued squad two valuable midweek breaks. The comprehensive nature of the win allowed multiple players to rediscover their scoring touch and build much-needed confidence ahead of the knockout stages.
Salah Returns to Scoring Form
Mohamed Salah marked his return to the scoresheet with a trademark left-footed curler, celebrating by tapping the Liverpool badge after netting his first goal for the club since November 1. This moment followed a public disagreement with head coach Arne Slot and a month-long absence representing Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations. His strike represented not just a personal milestone but a significant boost for the team's attacking prospects.
The goal rush continued throughout the match, with Florian Wirtz drilling home from the edge of the penalty area and Hugo Ekitike racing through to calmly slot home Liverpool's fourth. Alexis Mac Allister contributed a brace, heading home from a corner before bundling in his second, while Federico Chiesa added a sixth in the final minute to complete the rout.
Defensive Concerns Cloud Otherwise Positive Night
Despite the overwhelming offensive display, a concerning pattern emerged early in the match that will undoubtedly occupy Slot's thoughts in the coming days. Yet another defender was forced off injured, with Jeremie Frimpong pulling up during the opening minutes and requiring replacement by Wataru Endo at right-back.
Frimpong now joins a growing list of defensive absentees that includes Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, Joe Gomez, and Ibrahima Konate. While Gomez and Konate are expected to return within the next game or two, the mounting injury crisis presents a stark worry for a squad that failed to secure defensive reinforcements during the recent transfer window, having missed out on England defender Marc Guehi.
The European Ambition Counterbalance
This lack of defensive depth represents the significant counterbalance tempering any ambitious thoughts of European conquest this season. Liverpool have demonstrated impressive pedigree in the Champions League, following their commanding victory over Marseille at the intimidating Stade Velodrome seven days earlier with previous successes against European giants including Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, and Inter Milan.
Slot had previously suggested that last season's Champions League elimination to Paris Saint-Germain in March actually benefited their Premier League title challenge. Applying that logic in reverse this campaign, with Liverpool having effectively conceded their domestic title defence, the continental competition presents an opportunity to concentrate resources and pursue European glory.
The Reds have certainly shown they possess the quality to progress deep into the tournament, though their defensive vulnerabilities remain the primary obstacle to such aspirations.
Match Analysis and Qarabag's Plight
The game began with Slot facing yet another defensive reshuffle as Frimpong's early departure forced tactical adjustments. However, the manager's concerns soon turned to celebration as Mac Allister opened the scoring from a corner – Liverpool's fourth set-piece goal since Christmas, indicating progress in addressing what had been a problematic area.
Qarabag, who had performed respectably in the competition with ten points during the league phase, found themselves systematically dismantled by Liverpool's attacking prowess. The Azerbaijani club, displaced from their original home in Aghdam some 186 miles from their current stadium, represented their nation with dignity throughout the tournament but were simply outclassed on this occasion, undoubtedly wishing away the minutes during a punishing second half.
Overall, while the scoreline reflected near-perfect execution of Slot's game plan and provided multiple positive talking points, the persistent defensive injury crisis continues to cast a shadow over Liverpool's prospects as they advance to the Champions League knockout stages.
