Salah Shines As Liverpool Rout Qarabag In Champions League

On a chilly night at Anfield, Liverpool delivered a resounding statement of intent in Europe, thrashing Qarabag 6-0 to secure automatic progression to the Champions League round-of-16. The Reds, under the stewardship of Arne Slot, put recent domestic woes behind them with a performance brimming with attacking verve and clinical finishing, much to the delight of the home crowd.

The stakes were clear before kick-off: Liverpool needed a convincing result to avoid the dreaded play-off round in the newly revamped Champions League league phase. With the Premier League campaign stuttering—just five wins in their last 18 matches—Europe has provided a welcome escape, and the Reds didn’t disappoint their supporters on this pivotal evening.

However, the night began with a worrying setback. Jeremie Frimpong, who has endured a torrid run with injuries since his arrival on Merseyside, went down inside the opening two minutes with what appeared to be another muscle problem. The right-back was forced to leave the pitch, replaced by Wataru Endo, and the early change could have rattled a lesser side. But Liverpool quickly found their rhythm.

The breakthrough came after just 15 minutes. Alexis Mac Allister rose highest to meet a corner, his header crossing the line despite the desperate efforts of Qarabag goalkeeper Mateusz Kochalski. Goal-line technology confirmed the opener, and the Anfield faithful roared their approval. Six minutes later, Florian Wirtz doubled the lead with a crisp, low finish—his first Champions League goal for Liverpool and a testament to his recent surge in form.

Qarabag, who have built their campaign on resilience, looked shell-shocked. The Azerbaijani side, managed by Gurban Gurbanov, had arrived in England hoping to continue their spirited run, but Liverpool’s relentless pressure left them chasing shadows. Despite their best efforts, the visitors couldn’t muster a response before halftime, and the Reds went into the break firmly in control.

The second half brought the moment the Kop had been yearning for. Five minutes after the restart, Mohamed Salah, who hadn’t scored for Liverpool since November 1, 2025, was fouled on the edge of the area. From the resulting free-kick, following a short touch from Dominik Szoboszlai, Salah curled a sublime effort into the top corner. The Egyptian’s celebration—arms outstretched, badge thumped—was a clear signal that the events of recent months, including public criticism of Slot and speculation about his future, were momentarily forgotten. According to BBC Sport, "Salah had not scored in his previous eight appearances for Liverpool, and how he needed a goal after tumultuous events that have surrounded him."

With the outcome all but settled, Liverpool continued to pile on the misery. Hugo Ekitike, a summer arrival who has quickly endeared himself to the Anfield crowd, raced clear to slot home the fourth. The goal was another example of the new-look Liverpool attack, with Wirtz and Ekitike forging a dynamic partnership alongside the seasoned Salah.

Mac Allister wasn’t finished. After a defensive lapse from Qarabag, he popped up at the far post to tap in his second and Liverpool’s fifth. By now, the match had the feel of a celebration, with the home fans in full voice and the players expressing a freedom rarely seen in recent Premier League outings.

As the clock ticked down, Arne Slot made changes, giving Federico Chiesa a late runout. The Italian forward, who had faced a late fitness test before the match, wasted no time making his mark. Played in by Virgil van Dijk—who remarkably notched his third assist of the night, a first for a central defender in a single Champions League game—Chiesa finished coolly to complete the rout. Standard Sport’s live blog noted, "Virgil van Dijk’s hat-trick of assists being a first for a Premier League centre-back. In fact, it would appear that is also a first for a central defender in a single Champions League game!"

While Liverpool’s attacking exploits stole the headlines, the match also highlighted the depth of their injury woes. With Conor Bradley sidelined for the season after knee surgery, Joe Gomez out with a knock, Ibrahima Konate absent due to family bereavement, and Giovanni Leoni recovering from an ACL injury, Slot was forced to deploy midfielder Ryan Gravenberch at centre-back alongside Van Dijk. The makeshift defense, however, was barely troubled by Qarabag, who struggled to create clear chances throughout the night.

For Qarabag, the defeat was a harsh lesson, but not a disaster. Despite the heavy loss, the Azerbaijani side progressed to the knockout play-offs, a testament to their earlier resilience in the competition. Their campaign continues, though they’ll need to regroup quickly after such a bruising evening at Anfield.

Broadcast details ensured that fans around the world could witness the spectacle. The match aired live on TNT Sports 2 and TNT Sports Ultimate in the UK, with streaming available on discovery+ and Paramount+ for international viewers. BBC Radio 5 Live and talkSPORT provided live commentary, capturing every twist and turn as Liverpool ran riot.

As the final whistle blew, the statistics told the story: six different goalscorers, a hat-trick of assists from Van Dijk, and a clean sheet for Alisson Becker. For Slot, this was more than just a win—it was a timely boost to confidence and belief. The Dutchman’s tenure has been under the microscope following disappointing league form, but this emphatic victory will silence some critics, at least for now.

Looking ahead, Liverpool’s focus shifts back to the Premier League, where they host Newcastle United at Anfield on January 31. The Reds sit sixth in the table, three points above the Magpies, and will hope to carry this European momentum into domestic competition. As for the Champions League, the draw for the last 16 awaits, with Liverpool eager to see who stands between them and a deep run in Europe’s elite tournament.

For the Anfield faithful, nights like this are what European football is all about: big goals, big moments, and a sense of unity that only the Champions League can inspire. As Liverpool march on, their supporters will be dreaming of more magical nights under the lights.