Liverpool 6-0 Qarabag: Six-goal surge sends Reds into Champions League last 16

Liverpool deliver a decisive European response

Liverpool’s Champions League campaign took a major step forward at Anfield as they swept aside Qarabag 6-0 to secure a place in the last 16. The result not only ensured qualification, it also confirmed third spot in the competition’s league phase and provided a welcome lift after a difficult spell of form.

On a night that felt like a release of pressure, Alexis Mac Allister led the way with two goals. He was joined on the scoresheet by Florian Wirtz, Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike and Federico Chiesa, as Liverpool combined ruthless finishing with the kind of energy and clarity that had been missing in recent matches.

For head coach Arne Slot, the performance represented a “bounce-back” in the most emphatic way possible. Yet even amid the celebrations, the game underlined a continuing concern: Liverpool’s defensive injury situation worsened when Jeremie Frimpong went off early, forcing another reshuffle in a back line already patched together with midfielders.

Six different storylines in one scoreline

A 6-0 scoreline can flatten the narrative into a single, simple conclusion. In reality, Liverpool’s night contained multiple threads: a tactical matchup that suited them, an attacking display built on both counter-attacks and high regains, and a squad forced to adapt to injuries while still playing with ambition.

Slot’s side have faced challenges against teams that sit deep, but Qarabag approached the contest more proactively. Their willingness to attack in numbers created space for Liverpool to exploit, and it also exposed them to pressure when Liverpool won the ball high up the pitch. The combination of those two dynamics gave the hosts repeated opportunities to break quickly and create clear chances.

That context mattered. Liverpool looked comfortable not just because they scored early, but because the shape of the game played into their strengths: transitions, aggressive pressing, and attacking movement in open areas.

Early injury forces another defensive rethink

The only significant complication in the opening phase arrived with Frimpong’s injury. His early exit meant Liverpool were forced into yet another defensive adjustment, deepening what has already become a notable injury crisis at the back.

Liverpool started the match with two midfielders operating in their back line. When Frimpong went off, Wataru Endo was introduced at right-back, while Ryan Gravenberch continued deputising at centre-back due to existing absences. With Conor Bradley already ruled out for the season, the incident added urgency to the question of how Liverpool will manage the right-back role in the weeks ahead.

Despite that disruption, Liverpool’s control of the contest did not waver. If anything, their attacking rhythm became more pronounced as the first half progressed.

Mac Allister and Wirtz set the tone before the break

Liverpool’s dominance was reflected on the scoreboard before half-time. Mac Allister and Wirtz had the hosts 2-0 up midway through the first half, establishing a cushion that allowed Liverpool to play with growing freedom.

Mac Allister’s influence went beyond his goals. Named Player of the Match, he provided the kind of authority in midfield that can shape the tempo of a European tie: receiving under pressure, moving the ball quickly, and arriving in the right areas to finish moves. Wirtz, too, offered creativity and penetration, helping Liverpool turn promising moments into tangible advantage.

By the interval, Qarabag were already struggling to contain Liverpool’s movement and the speed with which the home side could turn defence into attack.

Salah’s free-kick and Ekitike’s run turn it into a rout

If Qarabag needed a near-perfect second half to keep the contest alive, Liverpool ensured there would be no opening. Early in the second period, Salah curled in a free-kick to make it 3-0, a goal that effectively ended any remaining doubt about the outcome.

The fourth was the kind of moment that can define a comfortable night: Ekitike produced a stunning finish after collecting the ball inside his own half, driving forward and completing the move. It was a goal that captured the freedom Liverpool were playing with, and the space Qarabag had left behind as they tried to commit players forward.

Mac Allister then added his second, walking in a fifth as Liverpool’s superiority became overwhelming. By that stage, the match had shifted from a contest into a showcase of Liverpool’s attacking options and confidence.

Late flourish as Van Dijk creates the sixth

The final goal arrived in the last minute, and it was notable not only for the finish but for the identity of the provider. Virgil van Dijk surged forward and set up Chiesa, who completed the scoring at 6-0.

It was a fitting end to a match in which Liverpool played assertively across the pitch, with even their captain stepping into attacking areas as the game opened up. The mood inside Anfield reflected that sense of relief and momentum, with the win helping to quieten the “noise” Slot had referenced in the build-up.

After the final whistle, Andy Robertson was serenaded by supporters. Robertson has been linked with a move, and the reaction suggested an appreciation for his role and presence on a night when the atmosphere turned celebratory.

How Qarabag’s approach suited Liverpool

Liverpool have, at times, found it difficult to break down low blocks. This match offered a different tactical picture. Qarabag’s more ambitious approach, including attacking in numbers, provided Liverpool with the spaces and scenarios they often seek: opportunities to counter-attack, and chances created by winning the ball high up the pitch.

Once Liverpool went ahead, those patterns became even more pronounced. Qarabag’s attempts to play forward left them vulnerable, and Liverpool repeatedly found ways to progress quickly into dangerous areas. The result was a steady stream of chances and a scoreline that grew heavier as the match went on.

Team sheets and standout performers

Mac Allister’s two goals and overall performance earned him the official Player of the Match recognition. Around him, Liverpool’s attacking cast contributed in different ways, with goals spread across the front line and midfield.

• Liverpool: Alisson (6), Frimpong (n/a), Gravenberch (7), Van Dijk (7), Robertson (7), Mac Allister (8), Szoboszlai (7), Wirtz (8), Salah (8), Ekitike (8), Gakpo (7).
• Subs: Endo (7), Nyoni (6), Ngumoha (6), Chiesa (6).
• Qarabag: Kochalski (6), Silva (5), Mustafazade (5), Medina (5), Jafarguliyev (5), Jankovic (7), Pedro Bicalho (6), Leandro Andrade (6), Montiel (6), Zoubir (5), Duran (6).
• Subs: Bayramov (6), Daniel (6), Akhundzade (6), Addai (n/a).

The ratings underline the balance of Liverpool’s display: strong contributions across midfield and attack, and a defence that, while makeshift in personnel, was rarely placed under sustained pressure given Liverpool’s control of territory and chances.

Qualification secured, but the injury picture sharpens

As important as the result was, the post-match discussion inevitably turned toward Frimpong’s injury and what it means for Liverpool’s immediate schedule. Slot said he does not expect the right-back to be available for the upcoming Premier League match against Newcastle at the weekend.

“It is obvious that if a player goes out like that, you don't expect them to play Saturday against Newcastle,” Slot said, while also leaving open the possibility that the timeline could become clearer once the situation is assessed further.

The practical issue is clear: Liverpool are already thin at right-back, with Bradley out for the season, and the knock-on effect has been to place other players into unfamiliar roles. Endo’s introduction at right-back against Qarabag was the latest example, with Gravenberch continuing in an improvised centre-back role due to absences there.

Slot on transfers: “smart decisions” over short-term fixes

Asked about the possibility of an emergency loan signing, Slot was cautious. He stressed that the club aims to make “smart decisions” that balance the short-term needs with longer-term planning, pointing to the importance of signing young players who can develop.

Slot also framed the decision-making around two practical questions: whether the right player is available, and whether the club can afford them. He added that injured players will return, and suggested Liverpool do not have the kind of squad depth that allows them to stockpile multiple specialists in every position.

His comments reflected a broader reality for elite clubs navigating congested seasons: recruitment is not simply a response to one injury, but a strategic choice shaped by finances, availability, and the pathway for existing players.

Managing workloads and the “noise” around selection

Slot also addressed the broader conversation about player management, noting that muscle injuries are “usually” related to overloading. He referenced criticism he had received for substituting Frimpong in the defeat at Bournemouth, using the new injury as an example of how complex those decisions can be.

He suggested that even when a player is rested, injuries can still occur, and highlighted the factors he must weigh when managing minutes. Slot also pointed to Frimpong’s own comments about the difference between the Bundesliga and the Premier League, implying the physical demands of English football are a key consideration.

While the injury is “sad” for the player and damaging for the team, Slot insisted Liverpool will “find a way again,” noting that the solution against Qarabag involved playing “as attacking as possible” even with players operating in unexpected positions.

Who can cover at right-back?

In the short term, Slot identified Curtis Jones and Joe Gomez as alternative options at right-back, though both missed the Qarabag match. Slot said Jones was sick and would need monitoring, while Gomez was described as a possible return, though not guaranteed.

“Curtis was sick so we have to wait and see how it evolves,” Slot said. “Joe might be tight, I am hoping and expecting to have him back, but I cannot guarantee this yet, but we're hoping that he will be back with us.”

Those updates underline the uncertainty Liverpool face as they move from a European high into domestic fixtures, with selection at the back potentially shaped as much by availability as by tactical preference.

Next: the last 16 and a renewed sense of momentum

With qualification secured, Liverpool now look ahead to the Champions League last 16. Their potential opponents are Club Brugge, Galatasaray, Juventus or Atletico Madrid.

The 6-0 win over Qarabag does not solve every issue—particularly in defence—but it does reassert Liverpool’s attacking quality and provides a timely boost. For Slot, it also offers evidence that his side can respond to pressure with authority, turning a tense period into a night of celebration at Anfield.

For all the challenges, Liverpool’s European campaign remains alive, and this performance ensured they will enter the knockout rounds with confidence restored and goals flowing again.