stated earlier than the sport it’s going to be actually tough to close down the noise round given their struggles to this point this season.
But this was a efficiency which absolutely turns down the quantity a little bit. In Europe, the Reds are actually setting a unique tone to the one within the Premier League.
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This was a of a facet in who’re removed from European royalty however are nonetheless aggressive sufficient that their journey within the competitors was not ended by this thrashing.
Whereas Liverpool secured a final 16 spot to launch a number of the stress round head coach Slot, the Azerbaijan outfit will head to the play-off spherical as one of many prime 24 groups.
So whereas there received’t be any notion that Liverpool’s ills are abruptly mounted by one show and criticism completely muted, it nonetheless must be counted as a formidable exhibiting which provides hope there’s nonetheless loads for the Reds to play for this season.
Two objectives from Alexis Mac Allister and one every from , Mo Salah – together with his first for the Reds since November – and Federico Chiesa delivered what was the widest margin of victory for the Reds underneath Slot. It muffles the din which the Dutchman spoke about on the eve of the match. Briefly not less than.
Alexis Mac Allister bagged a brace in Liverpool’s six-goal rout of Qarabag (Liverpool FC by way of Getty Photographs)
The primary racket clearly comes from social media however it could be fallacious to say that there’s not and his Reds, whose kind has been rickety within the Premier League. They’ve all-but surrendered their crown because the kings of England and face a battle to even be sure that they’re again on this competitors subsequent season.
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Even successful the title in his first season has not spared Slot from questions or the crew from boos. That’s how unhealthy a few of their performances have been.
Earlier than kick-off, there have been no indicators of dissent. The one jeers had been for the Champions League anthem. That was quickly drowned out by cries of “Liverpool, Liverpool”.
The final time that they had heard that music right here at Anfield what adopted was a 4-1 thrashing by PSV Eindhoven. A repeat was unthinkable and would have sparked unrest. Liverpool couldn’t assure this might a coast to the last-16 however they turned it into one.
The sight of introduced groans from round Anfield and extra damage ache for Arne Slot. He pulled his headband down over his eyes, then tilted his head again to withstand the sky and shouted an expletive. It was his third damage this season, the earlier two hamstrings and this appeared like one other muscle one.
Jeremie Frimpong was pressured off throughout the early phases with what appeared a hamstring drawback (REUTERS)
With only one match centre again that means Ryan Gravenberch was beginning alongside Virgil van Dijk in defence, the very last thing Slot wanted was his solely out there proper again out. It meant Wataru Endo needed to come on to play within the place however Liverpool had been troubled on the again so hardly ever it didn’t actually matter who performed there on this recreation.
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The primary huge roar of the night time got here within the fifteenth minute.
Dominik Szoboszlai’s nook was flicked on by Ekitike, headed into the bottom by Van Dijk and put over the road by Mac Allister.
When Wirtz obtained the second within the twenty first minute with a low strike, it felt like Liverpool had discovered their rhythm. That’s 5 objectives now since 27 December for the £116m signing. The German star is enhancing his return, even when many will wish to see extra from such an costly acquisition.
Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike had been each on the scoresheet (AP)
Slot stated beforehand Liverpool wanted to be higher in each bins in the event that they had been to make a hit of this season. They actually confirmed enchancment at one finish and weren’t examined on the different.
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Szoboszlai teed him Salah up from a free-kick the Egyptian had received on the sting of the world early within the second half.
Salah wrapped his left boot round it to seek out the nook for his forty ninth objective within the Champions League. When he put out his arms in entrance of The Kop to take the acclaim of the followers, it introduced arguably the cheer of the night time. Quickly his tune adopted.
Liverpool followers had been actually in tune with the crew for the primary time shortly.
Mohamed Salah scored his first objective since November (PA Wire)
Slot was beaming when Ekitike made it 4 quickly after. He pounced on a hesitant Bahlul Mustafazade to nick the ball away, then performed it previous Kevin Medina earlier than a high-quality end.
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Liverpool followers had been quickly singing about conquering all of Europe up to now. The win means they end third within the desk of this stage of the Champions League.
Mac Allister obtained his second when he discovered the web after Matheus Silva had made a large number of attempting to clear the ball within the 61st minute earlier than Chiesa slotted within the sixth within the ninetieth minute.
Federico Chiesa obtained Liverpool’s sixth within the ninetieth minute (Liverpool FC by way of Getty Photographs)
Slot stated one thing “particular” continues to be doable this season.
Given this was simply their third win of 2026 – the others being Marseille final week and Barnsley within the FA Cup – they will not be excessive up on many individuals’s record of favourites for this competitors however knockout soccer doesn’t all the time go by the shape ebook. The Reds secured a shorter path right here.
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The one factor ringing within the ears of Slot final night time was the cheers of a cheerful Anfield.
But the Liverpool boss will nonetheless be effectively conscious that in the event that they had been to undergo an eighth Premier League defeat of the marketing campaign when Newcastle go to right here on Saturday night time, that destructive noise he spoke about pre-match shall be again at full blast.