UPDATE: SALAH BACK ON SCORESHEET AS LIVERPOOL CRUISE PAST QARABAG 6–0
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By: Balogun Ibrahim
Mohamed Salah brought an end to his goal drought as Liverpool sealed automatic qualification for the Champions League last 16 with a commanding 5–0 victory over Qarabag.
The Egyptian forward, without a goal since Liverpool’s narrow 1–0 win against Aston Villa on 1 November, struck the Reds’ third of the night as Arne Slot’s side once again found relief on the European stage amid continued Premier League difficulties.
Salah’s recent dip in form had fuelled speculation over his future at Anfield, particularly after he publicly criticised Slot and the club following his exclusion from the starting XI, before departing for Africa Cup of Nations duty with Egypt.
However, there was no hint of discord on Tuesday as Liverpool swept aside the Azerbaijani champions in a one-sided display that left the result beyond doubt from an early stage.
Liverpool opened the scoring in the 15th minute as Alexis Mac Allister nodded home from a corner, with goal-line technology confirming the ball had crossed despite a desperate attempt by Qarabag goalkeeper Mateusz Kochalski to claw it clear.
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The lead was doubled six minutes later when Florian Wirtz rifled in a low, precise finish, before Salah took centre stage shortly after the interval.
The Egyptian won a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area and made it count, curling the effort into the top corner after a deft touch from Dominic Szoboszlai, then celebrating in trademark fashion in front of the Kop.
Qarabag were overrun as Liverpool swiftly piled on the pressure, adding two further goals in quick succession. Hugo Ekitike broke clear to score before Alexis Mac Allister capitalised on a defensive error to tap in his second from close range.
Substitute Federico Chiesa put the finishing touch on the emphatic victory late on, converting calmly from Virgil van Dijk’s pass.
The only blemish on an otherwise flawless evening for Liverpool was an early muscle injury to Jeremie Frimpong, who was forced off within the opening two minutes.
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