Need to know
The Azerbaijan champions will take on the Reds tonight
Qarabag FK will take on Liverpool FC tonight
Qarabag FK will take on Liverpool FC tonight(Image: Getty Images)
Everything you need to know about Liverpool FC's opponents Qarabağ FK
Liverpool FC return to action tonight to take on Qarabağ FK in the final group stage game of the Champions League. It will be the first time the Reds take on the Azerbaijani champions, who were renamed Qarabag in 1987 and become founding members of their national league.
Geopolitics defines much of the club's history as they were founded in 1951 as Məhsul and their official home is in Aghdam
However, the club has not played in its official home since 1993 when the First Nagorno-Karabakh War forced them to move to the country's capital, Baku, where they still play today
The club's official home in Aghdam was largely destroyed during the 1990s conflict. For decades, it was known as the world’s largest ghost town, with almost every building reduced to rubble except for the central mosque.
After this move, the club has been referred to as a "refugee club," as their history is deeply tied to the geopolitical shifts of the Caucasus.
They currently play domestic matches at the Azersun Arena (Baku) and move larger European fixtures to the Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium.
The "Horsemen": The club’s nickname, Atlılar, refers to the famous Karabakh horses native to the region, which are a national symbol of Azerbaijan and appear on the club's crest.
Following the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War, Azerbaijan regained control of Aghdam. The city is currently undergoing a massive reconstruction project, including plans to rebuild the club's original home, the Imarat Stadium.
For fans traveling from Azerbaijan to watch Qarabag play Liverpool at Anfield, the journey is approximately 2,500 miles (4,000 km) as the crow flies
Since there are typically no direct flights from Baku (GYD) to Liverpool (LPL), fans must transit through hubs like Istanbul or London.
Total Duration: Including layovers and the train or bus from London/Manchester to Liverpool, the journey often takes 12 to 15 hours each way.
As the club represents a displaced population, its "home" support is spread across Azerbaijan. Many fans traveling to away games are members of the "Imarat" fan group, which keeps the spirit of their lost city alive through every match