Liverpool thrashed Qarabag 6-0 to ease into the Champions League knockout phase, finishing in the top third of the league table. A brace from Mac Allister and one apiece for Salah, Wirtz, Ekitike, and Chiesa entertained the Anfield crowd. The result was only tempered by yet another injury, as Frimpong, grasping his hamstring, was forced to leave the pitch inside five minutes.
Having started with Gravenberch at centre-half, and with Salah, Ekitike, Gakpo, and Wirtz all making the starting eleven, an evening of goals always looked possible. Arne Slot clearly decided that attack was the best form of defense and was delighted as his side went 2-0 up before the half-hour mark.
Mac Allister started the scoring with a close-range header. Goal-line technology ensured the goal was given after he benefited from a corner routine that saw Van Dijk credited with an assist. Wirtz then put Liverpool further ahead; bearing down on goal, he finished clinically to the keeper’s right after a pass from Ekitike.
With the game all but won at half-time—Qarabag being neat and tidy in possession but rarely threatening—Slot must have been tempted to rest some players. However, with Salah, Ekitike, and Gakpo clearly enjoying themselves, he left well alone, and he and the crowd were soon rewarded. Salah scored in a Liverpool shirt for the first time since November 1st, equaling Jamie Carragher’s 80 Champions League appearances. His trademark left-foot finish to the top right corner came from a smart free-kick routine.
Ekitike joined the party just minutes later. A forward ball from Van Dijk evaded the Qarabag defenders and, presented with a one-on-one with the goalkeeper, the French striker never looked like missing in front of the Kop. Just one minute later, Mac Allister got his second and Liverpool’s fifth after some smart interplay with Ekitike. Having had a tap-in for his second, he fluffed the chance for a hat-trick when Salah picked him out unmarked in the penalty box; the Argentinian failed to make contact with the ball with the goal gaping.
On seventy minutes, Slot rang the changes. Having already employed Endo at right-back, Chiesa and Rio—along with two youngsters, Nyoni and Nallo—were given some minutes. Chiesa was ruled marginally onside as he gave his side the “joy of six” in the 90th minute.
So, Liverpool enter the knockout phase of Europe’s premier competition but next face two huge Premier League games at Anfield. First come Newcastle, followed by Manchester City. With yet another injury worry leaving the defense decimated, FSG will surely be forced to enter the market this month. If not, Liverpool are in danger of failing to ensure Champions League football next season—unless, of course, they can lift the European Cup for the seventh time in May.
