Liverpool needed a win (or maybe just a draw) to finish in the top-eight of the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, and the Reds left no doubt whatsoever as they hammered Azerbaijani side Qarabag 6-0 at Anfield.
MORE — Latest Champions League table
Alexis Mac Allister scored twice, Florian Wirtz bagged his first Champions League goal for Liverpool, Mohamed Salah struck a stunning free kick in front of the Kop, and Hugo Ekitike snapped his three-game run without a goal. Federico Chiesa even scored his first goal since September. All in all, a very satisfying evening. The only negative on the night was that right back Jeremie Frimpong was injured again and forced off in the 4th minute. The 25-year-old Dutchman has been in and out of the team all season and has played just 925 minutes, and he will likely miss more time with a suspected groin injury this time.
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Liverpool (18 points) finish 3rd in the league phase and will advance directly to the round of 16, skipping the playoff round and earning two empty mid-weeks next month. Qarabag (10 points) will head to the playoff after finishing 22nd.
Liverpool vs Qarabag live updates - by Andy Edwards
Liverpool vs Qarabag final score: 6-0
Goalscorers: Alexis Mac Allister (15', 61'), Florian Wirtz (21'), Mohamed Salah (50'), Hugo Ekitike (57'), Federico Chiesa (90')
GOAL! Liverpool 6-0 Qarabag: Chiesa puts the cherry on top (90')
Federico Chiesa gets in on the act and Liverpool are flying 🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/ixXnAIYKQ5
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) January 28, 2026
GOAL! Liverpool 5-0 Qarabag: Mac Allister pokes home another one (61')
GOAL! Liverpool 4-0 Qarabag: Ekitike goes from midfield to goal all by himself (57')
GOAL! Liverpool 3-0 Qarabag: Salah strokes a stunning free kick (50')
Mo Salah free kick BRILLIANCE 💫
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) January 28, 2026
The Egyptian king showing his class 👑 pic.twitter.com/Zynsfe8OI8
GOAL! Liverpool 2-0 Qarabag: Wirtz doubles the lead (21')
GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Qarabag: Mac Allister opens the scoring (15')
Goals from Alexis Mac Allister's and Florian Wirtz have Liverpool cruising vs. Qarabağ 🔴 pic.twitter.com/CPYV6Agtha
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) January 28, 2026
Liverpool starting lineup
Alisson - Frimpong, Gravenberch, Van Dijk, Robertson - Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Wirtz - Salah, Gakpo, Ekitike
Qarabag starting lineup
Kochalski - Silva, Mustafazade, Mdina, Jafarquilyev - Bicalho, Jankovic, Montiel - Andrade, Zoubir, Duran
How to watch Liverpool vs Qarabag live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 3pm ET Wednesday (January 28)
Venue: Anfield — Liverpool, England
TV Channel/Streaming: Paramount+
Disappointing defeats to Galatasaray and PSV Eindhoven threatened to throw their entire season into disarray, but Liverpool scraped and clawed their way to pivotal wins over Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan, now they sit 4th (15 points) with Wednesday’s finale the only thing standing between them and a place in the round of 16 (bypassing the playoff round).
Liverpool team news, focus
OUT: Ibrahima Konate (undisclosed), Conor Bradley (knee), Alexander Isak (broken leg - MORE), Joe Gomez (head), Giovanni Leoni (knee - MORE) | QUESTIONABLE: Federico Chiesa (undisclosed)
Qarabag team news, focus
QUESTIONABLE: Kady Malinowski (leg)
Liverpool vs Qarabag prediction
An early goal (or two) makes for a comfortable cruise to three points. Liverpool 3-0 Qarabag.
