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For once this season, there was comfort rather than chaos at Anfield.
Arne Slot found refuge in Liverpool’s spiritual home — the UEFA Champions League — while Mohamed Salah basked in the warm embrace of the Kop as the Reds cruised to a resounding 6–0 victory over Qarabag. It was a rare night of ease and celebration in a campaign otherwise marked by tension and scrutiny.
Champions League Provides Welcome Relief
Liverpool’s Premier League title defence has been uneven at best, with performances often bordering on the shambolic. That inconsistency has intensified pressure on Slot, who only last season guided the club to league glory in his debut campaign.
The sense of unrest deepened in December when Salah publicly vented his frustration after being dropped at Elland Road, claiming he had been “thrown under the bus” by Slot and the club. The episode cast a long shadow over Liverpool’s season.
Yet Europe has offered sanctuary.
Once again, the Champions League proved to be familiar and forgiving territory for Liverpool. Wednesday night’s emphatic win secured automatic qualification for the last 16, eliminating the need for a potentially awkward play-off round.
Europe Still Feels Like Home
Despite their domestic struggles, Liverpool have looked far more assured on the continental stage. With Anfield set to host knockout football, history suggests the Reds will fancy their chances — even if current form makes it difficult to label them genuine contenders.
Liverpool may not resemble champions-in-waiting, but in a two-legged European tie, they remain a team no opponent can afford to underestimate.
This was the most comfortable performance of Slot’s reign so far — his biggest win in 91 games as Liverpool manager and the club’s largest victory since the famous 7–0 demolition of Manchester United in March 2023.
Context Matters — But Confidence Counts
Qarabag were obliging opponents, far removed from the ruthless Premier League sides that have regularly exposed Liverpool this season. Still, victories — particularly emphatic ones — matter.
Slot has now overseen convincing European wins against both Marseille and Qarabag, underlining his ability to get a tune out of his side in this competition, even as league form falters.
The only blemish on the night came early, when summer signing Jeremie Frimpong was forced off with yet another muscle injury after less than two minutes on the pitch — a reminder that misfortune still stalks this campaign.
Landmark Night for Salah
Beyond the scoreline, the night belonged to Mohamed Salah.
The Egyptian made his 80th Champions League appearance for Liverpool, equalling Jamie Carragher’s club record. More importantly, he delivered a moment of vintage brilliance when he needed it most.
Salah had gone eight games without a goal and entered the match with just five strikes in 22 appearances this season — modest numbers by his extraordinary standards.
That changed in the 50th minute.
After being fouled on the edge of the box, Salah punished Qarabag with a perfectly executed left-footed free-kick, curling the ball past Mateusz Kochalski and into the top corner after a clever quick touch from Dominik Szoboszlai.
He celebrated with his teammates before standing, arms outstretched, in front of the Kop — tapping the Liverpool badge and smiling broadly, a powerful image after months of turbulence.
After the final whistle, he returned to the same spot to acknowledge the fans once more — a rare recent moment of shared joy.
Slot: “A Very Good Performance”
Slot was pleased, if measured, in his assessment.
“I’m very pleased with the performance. We know we can still improve — and need to improve — in both boxes, but it was a very good performance.
It’s always important to get the early goals to get the crowd on our side. We know we can do even better, but we’re pleased.”
A Chance to Dream Again
Liverpool’s relationship with the Champions League is rich with history — and nights like this remind everyone why.
For all their domestic failings, the Reds have given themselves a platform to believe once more. In a turbulent season for Salah, Slot and Liverpool, this was an evening of clarity, confidence and celebration — and perhaps, just perhaps, the start of something more.
