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Liverpool sailed up to Champions League Last 16 with Qarabag losing 6-0 at Anfield.
Alexis McAllister scored in both halves along with Florian Wirtz, Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitik and Federico Chiesa in what was a much-needed dominant performance after a disappointing Premier League defeat to Bournemouth at the weekend.
The emphatic win saw Liverpool finish the league stage in third place, which is set to suit Arne Slott’s men for a last-16 tie – and it could finally set them on course to meet Arsenal in the semi-finals, if the English pair make it that far.
Liverpool dominated the first half
Liverpool’s place in the top eight was not under much threat this evening, but they suffered an early setback when an injury to Jeremy Frimpong further worsened their already depleted backline. Wataru Ando came on, meaning the Reds had two midfielders in the backline with Ryan Gravenburch already at centre-back.
Florian Wirtz got the first sight of goal after combining with Cody Gakpo before his shot was blocked inside the box. Hugo Ektic later went close from distance after cutting in from the left but his low effort was not quite round.
The Reds had the breakthrough moments later though as a corner was flicked on and found Mac Alliser at the back post to squeeze over the line.
It was a deserved opener for the hosts and minutes later Wirtz doubled their lead with a clinical finish on the edge of the box that marked his first Champions League goal for Liverpool.
The visitors really should have been awarded a penalty when Gravenberch collided with Celino Duran but the referee strangely let play continue and no VAR check was recommended.
Liverpool should have made it three before half-time after a flurry of chances, the best free header for Gakpo on which he didn’t get enough contact and was easy for the goalkeeper to collect.
Salah and Ekiti lit up Anfield
It didn’t take long for the Reds to make it 3-0 after the break with a free-kick as Dominik Szoboszlai backheeled the ball into Salah and into the back of the net for his first Reds goal since November.
The fourth goal was all about Ekitik as the striker got a touch on Van Dijk’s clearance to beat one defender on the half-way line before rounding another and slotting it home.
It was his second of the game since McAllister and it was even easier than his first after he saved his initial shot before tapping the ball into an empty net as Liverpool’s rampage continued.
The Argentine could easily have bagged a hat-trick after another smart run from deep saw him latch on to Salah’s pass but he mistimed his finish completely to miss the chance.
Liverpool’s sixth came early as Van Dijk found himself well upfield and teed up substitute Chiesa to bury the finish.
