Liverpool host Qarabag FK at Anfield in the final round of the UEFA Champions League league-phase on Wednesday evening, marking the first competitive meeting between them.
The Reds registered a 3-0 win at Marseille in their last outing in the competition, climbing to fourth in the standings.
Similarly, Qarabag secured a 3-2 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt to move into one of the play-off spots.
Match preview
Liverpool could not build on their win at Marseille as they lost 3-2 at Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday, ending their 13-game unbeaten run.
The Merseyside giants must put their domestic troubles aside to secure automatic qualification to the Champions League round of 16.
Liverpool have won their last two UCL games, scoring four goals and conceding none, but lost 4-1 to PSV in their last home fixture.
Dominic Szoboszlai continues to stand out for the Premier League reigning champions, scoring two brilliant free-kicks in his last two games.
Qarabag suffered the same fate as Liverpool, winning in the UCL before losing at home in the league to Kapaz, denting their title hopes.
The Azerbaijan side are aiming to qualify for the knockout stages for the first time, but must secure a place in the play-offs to do so. They need a win here to guarantee that.
Qarabag are expected to deploy a low block and look to hit Liverpool in transition — a tactical approach that has troubled the Reds at times this season, particularly at Anfield.
Forward Camilo Duran has been exceptional for them in the competition, registering five goal involvements.
Championship: Preview & Predictions – Matchday 38
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Championship: Preview & Predictions – Matchday 38
Team news
Liverpool remain without Giovanni Leoni, Alexander Isak, and Connor Bradley. Joe Gomez has joined them on the treatment table after coming off against Bournemouth.
Ibrahima Konate’s availability also remains uncertain following his father’s death.
Qarabag, meanwhile, have no injury concerns ahead of the fixture.
Predicted line-ups
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Alisson Becker, Jeremie Frimpong, Ryan Gravenberch, Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez, Alexis McAllister, Curtis Jones, Florian Wirtz, Dominic Szoboszlai, Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike.
Qarabag (4-2-3-1): Mateusz Kochalski, Matheus Silva, Bahlul Mustafazada, Kevin Medina, Elvin Cafarquliyev, Pedro Bicalho, Marko Jankovic, Leandro Andrade, Joni Montiel, Abdellah Zoubir, Camilo Duran.
Prediction
We predict a 3-1 win for Liverpool.
Stats from whoscored.com & sofascore.com