Date: 28 January 2026

Liverpool kept their cool and then turned on the style. A 6-0 thrashing of FK Qarabag at Anfield in the final Champions League league phase fixture did more than entertain a cold Merseyside crowd—it sealed automatic qualification to the round of 16 and sent a clear message to the rest of Europe. Arne Slot’s team needed a win to guarantee a top-four finish. They got that, and a performance to match the stakes.

Ruthless Liverpool seal Champions League last 16

From the opening whistle, Liverpool played with intent and control. The pressure of the league phase table was real: start the night fourth with 15 points, finish it secure in the top four, and skip the playoff. That urgency showed in the intensity, the speed of thought, and the clean, sharp finishing across the front line.

The hosts struck early and never looked back. Alexis Mac Allister opened the scoring in the 15th minute, setting the tone. Six minutes later, Florian Wirtz made it 2-0 with a cool finish, and Liverpool never released their grip.

“Six goals, six statements—this is how you end a league phase.”

Mac Allister’s brace leads the rout

Mac Allister, so often the glue in midfield, played like a man on a mission. His first goal broke the deadlock; his second underlined Liverpool’s class and control. The Argentine’s timing between the lines and calm finishing gave Slot’s side both rhythm and a ruthless edge.

In games with high stakes, you look for leaders. Mac Allister provided that with his brace, managing the tempo and showing the composure that big European nights demand.

Florian Wirtz nets first Champions League goal for Liverpool

Wirtz’s strike in the 21st minute carried extra meaning. It was his first Champions League goal for Liverpool and his fifth in nine matches since arriving. That tally tells its own story: the 20-year-old playmaker has settled quickly, adding craft and a final ball that stretches defenses.

Beyond the finish, Wirtz’s movement and link-up were bright and brave. He drove the team forward, created angles, and showed why he’s already central to Slot’s plans.

“Wirtz looks fearless—five in nine and Europe finally got a taste of it.”

Salah, Ekitiké and Chiesa add depth and danger

When Liverpool spread the goals around, they look scary. Mohamed Salah got in on the act, as he so often does on big nights at Anfield. Hugo Ekitiké and Federico Chiesa also scored, a trio of finishes that told a broader story: this squad has multiple threats, in multiple zones, all capable of changing a game.

For Slot, that variety matters. Opponents can’t cheat toward one star when six different scorers are on the team sheet. On this night, Liverpool’s finishing matched their control of territory and tempo.

What the table says—and why it matters

The result locks Liverpool into automatic qualification for the Champions League round of 16. Coming in, a draw would likely have kept them in the top eight but sent them toward the playoff path. The win removes all doubt. Now, there’s clarity, rest, and a clean run into the knockout rounds.

These are the margins in the league phase. Finish strong, avoid extra games, protect legs. Liverpool did exactly that.

“Skip the playoff, keep the rhythm—Slot’s plan is working.”

Qarabag’s night and the playoff picture

Qarabag arrived 18th in the league phase and, by the math, any result kept them on course for the playoff route. They were brave at times, but Liverpool’s level was simply too high. On another night, their compact shape might have kept it tighter. Here, Anfield’s energy and Liverpool’s class pulled the game away before the hour.

For the Azerbaijani club, there is still European football to play. The focus now moves to the playoff stage, where more chances await.

Slot’s steady hand—and Robertson stays put

Arne Slot’s Liverpool look settled. The pressing is coordinated, the midfield is balanced, and the attack is flexible. Rotation has not broken rhythm; it’s sharpened edges. Nights like this show a team growing into a new season and a new European format.

There was also a nod to stability off the pitch. Andrew Robertson remains at the club after a proposed transfer to Tottenham fell through. Having his experience and leadership in the dressing room helps, especially as the schedule tightens and the Champions League steps up.

Round of 16 draw: Atletico, Bruges, Galatasaray or Juventus

Liverpool’s last-16 opponent will be drawn from one of four teams: Atletico Madrid, Bruges, Galatasaray, or Juventus. Each presents a different puzzle. Atletico promise a tactical chess match. Bruges bring pace and belief. Galatasaray offer noise and danger. Juventus carry pedigree and control.

Either way, the calendar is set: two-legged ties on 10–11 and 17–18 February. Liverpool have bought themselves the runway they wanted—time to prepare, time to recover, and time to sharpen ideas on the training ground.

The bigger picture at Anfield

Win big. Save legs. Send a message. Liverpool ticked every box. Six goals across the front line, a statement from Mac Allister, a first Champions League goal in red for Wirtz, and a defense that gave up little. It felt like a complete European night—calm, ruthless, and loud.

The path ahead is long, but the signs are strong. This was not a one-man show. It was a squad performance, built on speed, structure, and confidence. If Liverpool keep this blend, Anfield will host more big European nights this spring—and perhaps something even bigger beyond.

For now, the job is done. The league phase is finished, the playoff path avoided, and the Champions League knockout run secured. On a cold January night, Liverpool made Anfield feel warm again.