LIVERPOOL VS. QUARABAĞ
| Wednesday, January 28th |
Champions League, League Phase | Anfield
8PM BST/3PM EST
This will be the first time these two teams meet in any competition, with the Azerbaijani side traveling 2,583 miles (4,157 kilometers) to Anfield — the furthest distance a European away team has travelled to play at Anfield. Qarabağ has played in England and against English opposition in the Champions League before, but through a weird quirk they have played their three previous Champions League matches only against Chelsea.
These previous meetings have resulted in two defeats and one draw, with the draw the most recent result (2-2 back on November 5th, away in Azerbaijan). They have played four previous away matches against English opposition in all competitions, and have lost these games by 13-1 on aggregate.
Qarabağ rotated their squad at the weekend in preparation for this game: they sit in 18th on the Champions League Table with 10 points, two spots below the play-off spots and one point behind Dortmund in 16th. The rotated side lost domestically, but in this competition they’ve retained a stable side, rotating their starting line-up less than any other side (five total changes, with never more than one per game).
Qarabağ remain the underdog in this match despite Liverpool’s struggles, though it’s notable that they have won the joint-most points from losing positions (seven, level with Barcelona). In their last match, they came back to beat Eintracht Frankfurt 3-2, though the reigning German side did travel to Azerbaijan for the match, with the winning goal scored in the 94th minute.
Camilo Durán has been the main threat for Qarabağ in the Champions League this season, having been directly involved in five goals (4 goals, 1 assist) thus far. The Colombian can play on the wing but has primarily featured centrally, and will look to test whoever is tasked with partnering Virgil Van Dijk on Wednesday night.
Predicted Liverpool Lineup (4-3-3)
Alisson; Frimpong, Robertson, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Jones; Salah, Wirtz, Ekitiké
Victory against Qarabağ will guarantee automatic qualification to the the Champions League last 16 with a top eight mathematically certain. Depending on results happening elsewhere, a draw or even a defeat might also be enough to progress past the play-offs.
The Reds have mathematically guaranteed progression to at least the play-offs, so cannot be eliminated from the competition on Wednesday. Liverpool’s squad is wearing thin, and Slot might be tempted to rotate to remain fresh for domestic competition. The poor result at the weekend combined with a the position the Reds would be in following a win might lead to a stronger starting XI than might normally be the case — a win, after all, would also guarantee a less crowded playing schedule in future weeks by bypassing a playoff tie.
Liverpool are without both Ibrahima Konaté and Joe Gomez for this one, so we’ll be seeing a makeshift center back — either Andy Robertson, Wataru Endō, Ryan Gravenberch…or someone else. Speaking to the press ahead of this match, Slot did not confirm a timeline for Gomez’s return, but did say he expected it to be a short-term absence. Konaté has been given space to grieve the loss of his father. Liverpool have no other new injuries, with Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, and Alexander Isak remain sidelined long-term, and Federico Chiesa seemingly still sidelined with a minor injury.
At the weekend Arne Slot chose to leave Hugo Ekitiké on the bench to bring on as a fresh threat against what was assumed would be a tired and weaker Bournemouth side. Though this logic was sound, the result didn’t benefit the Reds; as such, Slot might choose to start the rested Frenchman here, bringing on Cody Gakpo late as he did against Marseille. One of Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitiké, Mohamed Salah, and Cody Gakpo, will start on the bench.
In midfield Slot will have his usual choices, with Gravenberch likely to start either at the base of the midfield or partnering Van Dijk as a makeshift center back. Either Alexis Mac Allister, whose form has improved in recent weeks, or Curtis Jones will pair with Dominik Szoboszlai in midfield, as the Hungarian has made himself the first name on the team sheet this season. Alongside having the most goal involvements of anyone on the Liverpool team in the Champions League this season (seven – 4 goals, 3 assists), per Opta he also sits first for chances created (18), possession won (47), progressive carries (62) and line-breaking passes in the final third (39). Liverpool have been hard to watch domestically this season, but the Hungarian captain most certainly has not.
The Managers Have Their Say
Arne Slot: “This season Qarabağ have shown that they are a very good team and difficult to beat. They drew 2-2 with Chelsea, for example. If we look at our Champions League campaign this season, we have faced many strong teams and have done very well.”
Gurban Gurbanov: “We’ll go to Liverpool with great confidence. Playing there is tough for any team. We’re facing one of the most decorated clubs in England. I’ll ask my players not to be afraid and to fight to the end. Their fans are very aggressive and combative. I believe that my players will at least continue in England what they showed today.”
The Officials
Referee: Ivan Kružliak (SVK) Assistants: Branislav Hancko (SVK), Jan Pozor (SVK) Fourth Official: Peter Kralović (SVK) VAR: Pol van Boekel (NED) Assistant VAR: Jan Boterberg (BEL)
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