A win will guarantee Liveprool's spot in the top eight and a bye in the knockout rounds of the Champions League as they welcome Qarabag to Anfield
Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, speaks to the media during a press conference at AXA Training Centre on January 27, 2026 in Kirkby, England
Arne Slot faces a vitally important few weeks(Image: 2026 Getty Images)
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Liverpool are just one win away from securing a place in the Champions League last 16 as they welcome Qarabag FK to Anfield for Wednesday’s league-phase finale. The Reds cruised to a 3-0 victory over Marseille in their most recent European outing, while Qarabag kept their playoff ambitions alive with a thrilling 3-2 win against Eintracht Frankfurt.
Despite some well-publicized domestic struggles, Liverpool have largely managed to keep their Champions League campaign on track—Galatasaray and PSV Eindhoven being the notable exceptions. Under Arne Slot, the reigning Premier League champions are well-positioned for automatic progression to the knockout rounds.
Many expected Liverpool to face a tough challenge against a free-scoring Marseille side, but it was the Reds who delivered an attacking masterclass at the Orange Velodrome. Goals from Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo, along with a Geronimo Rulli own goal, secured a comprehensive win for the visitors.
Now sitting fourth in the standings with four wins from five group matches, Liverpool hold a two-point advantage over ninth-placed Barcelona. A win on Wednesday would see them bypass the playoff stage and advance directly to the last 16.
Anfield has traditionally been a fortress for Liverpool in Europe, with the Reds winning 16 consecutive UEFA league-phase home games before their recent defeat to PSV—a rare blemish in an otherwise dominant home record, with just three losses in their last 20 Champions League group-stage fixtures.
However, Liverpool’s momentum was checked over the weekend as their 13-game unbeaten run came to an end with a 3-2 Premier League defeat to Bournemouth, leaving them still searching for their first top-flight win of 2026 and reigniting questions over Arne Slot’s future.
While Liverpool chase the victory that will guarantee their last-16 spot, Qarabag arrive with knockout aspirations of their own. The 12-time Azerbaijani champions have never progressed beyond the group stage in the Champions League—their only previous appearance in 2017-18 ended at this stage—but they are on course to reach the playoffs this time.
Qurban Qurbanov’s side stunned 2022 Europa League winners Frankfurt 3-2 on matchday seven, moving them up to 10 points and 18th in the 36-team table—two points clear of Napoli, who sit just outside the playoff places. Nothing is certain for Qarabag yet, but even a defeat at Anfield might not end their hopes if other results go their way.
History, however, is not on Qarabag’s side. They have failed to win any of their eight previous encounters with English opposition in European competition, losing seven. Their preparations for Liverpool included a 2-0 domestic defeat to Kapaz over the weekend, though Qurbanov rotated his entire starting eleven with this crucial Champions League fixture in mind.
As Qarabag look to defy the odds and claim just their second positive result against a Premier League side—two months after holding Chelsea to a 2-2 draw—Liverpool will be determined to seal their passage to the last 16 in front of their home fans.
Liverpool vs Qarabag Betting Tips
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