Mohamed Salah ends his goal drought as Liverpool secure a dominant 6-0 victory over Qarabag, booking their place in the Champions League knockout stage
MOHAMED Salah ended his goal drought as Liverpool crushed Qarabag 6-0 to book their place in the Champions League last 16.
The emphatic win at Anfield eased pressure on manager Arne Slot after a recent difficult run.
Alexis Mac Allister and Florian Wirtz scored first-half goals to put the Reds in control.
Salah scored the third after the break on his club-record equalling 80th Champions League appearance for Liverpool.
It was the Egypt forward’s first goal for the club since November 1, ending an eight-game drought.
Hugo Ekitike notched the fourth before Mac Allister and Federico Chiesa wrapped up Liverpool’s biggest win in all competitions since 2023.
The victory ensured Liverpool automatically advanced to the last 16, avoiding a play-off round.
Their third-place group finish also gives them the advantage of hosting the second leg of their last 16 tie.
Despite the heavy defeat, Qarabag still qualified for the play-offs after finishing second in the group.
Liverpool’s progress was essential for Slot, who has faced awkward questions about his team’s troubled campaign.
Slot had hit back at criticism of Liverpool’s five-match winless run in the Premier League last weekend.
He insisted it would still be a successful season if they win silverware.
But fans have grown frustrated with the team trailing Premier League leaders Arsenal by 14 points.
This is despite winning the title last season and then spending around £450 million on new signings.
Slot acknowledged the “noise” around Liverpool was “fair” and impossible to silence unless they do “special things”.
The Champions League and FA Cup offer hope of fulfilling that ambition.
Crucial Premier League clashes with Newcastle and Manchester City loom in the next fortnight.
Virgil van Dijk was Liverpool’s only fit centre-back after Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez were ruled out.
This forced Slot to start Dutch midfielder Ryan Gravenberch at the heart of his defence.
Slot’s defensive options dwindled even further after just three minutes when Jeremie Frimpong limped off.
But Liverpool were unfazed and quickly put Qarabag to the sword.
A new corner routine led to Liverpool’s opener in the 15th minute.
Ekitike flicked on Dominik Szoboszlai’s delivery and Mac Allister nodded home after Van Dijk couldn’t convert.
Wirtz doubled the lead in the 21st minute with his first Champions League goal for the club.
The German playmaker took Ekitike’s pass and drilled home from 18 yards.
Salah put the result beyond doubt five minutes after half-time with a superb curled free-kick.
Ekitike sprinted clear to bag Liverpool’s fourth with a composed finish in the 57th minute.
Mac Allister tapped in the fifth four minutes later before Chiesa slotted in his first goal since September in stoppage time.
