Team news confirmed from Anfield as Liverpool go in search of the Champions League knockout stages against Qarabag
Ryan Gravenberch and Virgil van Dijk celebrate scoring Liverpool's first goal during the Premier League match between with Everton at Anfield on September 20, 2025
Ryan Gravenberch will partner Virgil van Dijk in defence for Liverpool this evening(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
View Image
Ryan Gravenberch starts at centre-back for Liverpool as they go in search of automatic qualification to the knockout stages of the Champions League against Qarabag.
The Reds host the Azerbaijan side for the first-ever time at Anfield and Netherlands midfielder Gravenberch starts alongside his international colleague Virgil van Dijk at the back.
With no Joe Gomez, who is out with a hip injury, and Ibrahima Konate, who remains on compassionate leave following the passing of his father, Gravenberch is given the nod over Wataru Endo, who played most of the game alongside Van Dijk in Saturday's 3-2 Premier League loss at Bournemouth.
Jeremie Frimpong and Andy Robertson complete the back four with Alisson Becker in goal.
Robertson was a second-half substitute at the weekend but with Slot indicating that Milos Kerkez was taken off as a precaution against his former club at the Vitality Stadium, the experienced Scotland skipper starts in his place.
In midfield, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai occupy the deeper positions with Florian Wirtz stationed further forward in what is expected to be a No.10 role.
Mohamed Salah starts on the right side of the front three, Cody Gakpo takes up the left and Hugo Ekitike returns to the line-up to start up top.
The France international came off the bench on Saturday for a second-half cameo but makes his second successive start in the Champions League in 2026 and along with Robertson, is one of two changes.
There is no place for Curtis Jones on the bench due to illness but youngster Kieran Morrison is included in the match-day squad.
Victory for Liverpool would secure their place in the last-16 without the need for a two-legged knockout phase playoff.
Liverpool: Alisson; Frimpong, Gravenberch, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike. Subs: Mamardashvili, Woodman, Endo, Nallo, Chiesa, Kerkez, Ngumoha, Nyoni, Morrison.