Liverpool face Qarabag for the first time ever on Wednesday as they hope for safe passage into the Champions League’s last-16.
The Reds have been a different beast in Europe this term and know that they can avoid a dreaded play-off berth by beating the Azerbaijani side at Anfield.
Although they will be heavy favourites on home turf, Liverpool should be wary of Qarabag who have already picked up an impressive draw against Chelsea in this season’s competition.
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Liverpool Predicted XI vs Qarabag
Liverpool Predicted XI vs Qarabag
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They currently sit 18th in the Champions League table and will secure their qualification to the last-32 with a point at Anfield. One thing is for certain: they will give it everything to get a surprise result on Merseyside.
But it is not just a fighting spirit that Qarabag will bring, they also have some quality which can hurt Liverpool. And with Andy Robertson’s future up in the air heading into the game, left-back Toral Bayramov is certainly one for Reds fans to watch.
Toral Bayramov set for Anfield audition
The Champions League can be great for pitting traditionally smaller sides against some giants of the European game and that is exactly what will happen on Wednesday.
But Anfield will hold no fear for Qarabag, especially given Liverpool’s current form, and if they are to get something then Bayramov will be absolutely key.
Azerbaijan's Toral Bayramov applauds after the FIFA World Cup qualifier against Ukraine
Photo by Marcin Golba/NurPhoto via Getty Images
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With eight goals in all competitions, the 24-year-old is his team’s top goal scorer this season. He will be a threat.
Although nominally a left-back, Bayramov often plays further forward for Qarabag as well, and as Liverpool look for a potential back-up to Milos Kerkez, having someone who can play in different positions would be a real bonus.
Now a veteran of six seasons with Qarabag, Bayramov has plenty of Champions League experience as well as more than 30 caps for Azerbaijan. If there is a player for Liverpool fans to scout on Wednesday, then it is him.
Will Liverpool beat Qarabag and qualify for the last-16?
The Azerbaijani's have a poor record against English teams
Qarabag players line up for a squad picture before their UEFA Champions League match against Ajax at Tofiq Bahramov Stadium (Credit: Getty Images/Resul Rehimov/Anadolu).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Resul Rehimov/Anadolu
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Bayramov could be a left-sided Jeremie Frimpong
When Liverpool searched for a new right-back last summer they eventually decided on Jeremie Frimpong in part because of the potential to play him in the forward line.
Bayramov could offer a similar possibility on the left, where the Reds badly need new additions as well.
Clearly, it would be big step up for him to go from the Azerbaijani Premyer Liga to the Premier League, but having scored 37 goals in 233 games for Qarabag, he deserves a shot at the big time.
Robertson looks likely to leave Liverpool in 2026, even if it is not in January, and while the Reds could simply bring Kostas Tsimikas back for another season, it does feel like time for a change.
Kerkez has the shirt and deservedly so, but bringing in a player like Bayramov as a clear back-up to the Hungarian would have plenty of merit from Liverpool’s point of view. If they do not have him on their radar already, Wednesday could be about to change that.
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