January 29, (THEWILL) — Liverpool confirmed their place in the UEFA y Champions League last-16 with a convincing 6-0 victory over Qarabag at Anfield.
Arne Slot’s team finished third in the league phase to gain automatic qualification, whilst the visiting side progressed to the knockout-stage play-offs despite the heavy defeat.
The home side took control after an early scare when Hugo Ekitike’s 12th-minute effort missed the target.
Alexis Mac Allister opened the scoring in the 15th minute, converting after Virgil van Dijk flicked on Dominik Szoboszlai’s deflected corner. Florian Wirtz doubled the advantage six minutes later, finishing after Ekitike’s assist.
Szoboszlai turned provider in the 50th minute, rolling a free-kick for Mohamed Salah to guide the ball into the top-left corner.
Ekitike added his name to the scoresheet seven minutes later, profiting from Bahlul Mustafazada’s error before rounding goalkeeper Mateusz Kochalski.
Mac Allister claimed his second goal just after the hour mark following a fortunate deflection. Federico Chiesa completed the rout in the 90th minute with a composed finish after Van Dijk’s forward run.
Qarabag will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Newcastle United in the knockout-stage play-offs following this loss.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
