Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike after the pair combined to score Liverpool’s second goal in their 6-0 Champions League win at home to Qarabag (Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool secured third place in the Champions League final table with a commanding 6-0 victory at home against Azerbaijan champions Qarabag on Wednesday evening. Alexis Mac Allister bagged a brace whilst Florian Wirtz, Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike and substitute Federico Chiesa also found the net as the Reds recorded their most emphatic triumph under Arne Slot.
The outcome means Slot’s team have advanced straight through to the last 16 of the knockout stages without needing to navigate the play-off round next month. We was present at Anfield and here we assess the performances of the Liverpool players.
Gathered one effort from Duran in the first half and handled the occasional aerial challenge, but had little to occupy him after the break.
Scarcely had opportunity for involvement when compelled to withdraw with what looked like a hamstring problem. Substituted.
Solid performance as a makeshift centre-back, and only once momentarily forgot his position with a powerful surge forward. Finished the match back in midfield.
Took on much of the defensive duties with a couple of excellent clearing headers and could lay claim to three assists. Genuine attacking menace from set-pieces.
Offered a reliable attacking option down the left flank and his forward pass sparked the second goal. Relished the encounter against limited opposition.
No genuine need to curb his attacking instincts despite operating in a defensive midfield position and threw himself into challenges while showing no hesitation to shoot. Set-piece caused havoc for the opener, provided the assist for the third and played a crucial role in the fifth.
Didn’t always appear the swiftest in the midfield battle early on but contributed sufficiently and was perfectly positioned to nod in the opener and slot home the fifth.
Much of the opening half-hour saw his accuracy slightly off but started to find his range before the break and delivered a far superior second-half performance capped by a superb free-kick strike.
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Liverpool were much improved against Qarabag. (Image: Getty Images)
Outstanding pressing created one opportunity and consistently looked dangerous, and finished the second goal impressively. Such a talented player.
Plenty of graft and glimpses of chemistry with Robertson and Ekitike but slightly too predictable when cutting inside, though improved after the interval and was denied a goal by an excellent save. Substituted.
Outstanding first-half display brimming with pace, intent and pressing and worked brilliantly to set up the second before a magnificent solo effort for Liverpool’s fourth. Substituted.
Wataru Endo (for Frimpong 4) 7.
Kept matters straightforward coming on as an emergency right-back for the injured Frimpong and impressed as a result.
Rio Ngumoha (for Wirtz 67) 7.
Energised the crowd with a couple of promising runs but understandably still unpolished as a 17-year-old.
Trey Nyoni (for Ekitike 67) 7.
Settled into an attacking midfield position to good effect. Federico Chiesa (for Gakpo 74) 7.
He netted a neat goal to round off a performance that delighted the crowd.
Amara Nallo (for Szoboszlai 74) 6.
He made a significant stride in his career by steering clear of three red cards in his first three senior appearances.