Liverpool qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League with a 6-0 demolition of Qarabag at Anfield.

Alexis Mac Allister scored two with Florian Wirtz, Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike and Federico Chiesa also on target as the Reds shrugged off their recent poor run in style to secure third spot in the league phase and ease the pressure on Arne Slot.

Jeremie Frimpong's early injury meant the night was not without its difficulties, leaving Liverpool deeper in a defensive injury crisis. They played this game with two midfielders in their back line but Mac Allister and Wirtz had them two up midway through the first half.

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Slot's side have had their difficulties against low blocks but Qarabag's more ambitious approach, attacking in numbers, played into Liverpool's hands. They had ample opportunities to increase the lead on the counter-attack and by winning the ball high.

Salah's curling free-kick made it three early in the second half before Ekitike added a stunning fourth after picking the ball up inside his own half. Mac Allister walked in a fifth on an evening when much of the angst around Liverpool's form faded away.

Slot had referenced that 'noise' in the build-up but the mood was celebratory in the end, victory sealed by Virgil van Dijk storming through to set up Chiesa for the sixth in the last minute. Andy Robertson, linked with a move, was serenaded after the final whistle. And, for all the challenges, Liverpool's European dream is alive.

Frimpong worry but will Liverpool buy?

Slot believes that Liverpool will be without Frimpong for the Premier League game against Newcastle at the weekend but refused to be drawn on whether the injury crisis at right-back will force the club into the market in this transfer window.

With Conor Bradley already out for the season, Frimpong's injury forced Wataru Endo to come on at right-back, with Ryan Gravenberch already deputising at centre-back due to absences there.

"It is obvious that if a player goes out like that, you don't expect them to play Saturday against Newcastle," said Slot of Frimpong's injury.

But when asked about a possible emergency loan signing, he was less emphatic.

"We as a club always make decisions, or we at least try to make smart decisions, so we not only look at the short-term, we also look at the long-term. Longer-term, that's why we sign young players as well, very good players, but young ones that can still develop.

"Now we can see this development with a few. And it always depends on, are there players available that we think can help us, and if they are, can we afford them?

"Our players come back from injury as well, and I just said that we don't have a squad where we have four right-backs and 12 midfielders and three or four number 9s, so we have to do smart things for the near future, but also for the longer future.

"Let's first see how Jeremie is, maybe he's not able to play Saturday, but maybe he's able to play one or two days later.

"And we now go into a schedule with one game a week, so that will usually mean less injuries, but we're never sure."

Slot: I've played him too much

Slot did point out that "a muscle injury usually has to do with overloading a player" and he received some criticism for substituting Frimpong in the defeat at Bournemouth.

"Today has shown again that sometimes things are maybe a bit more complicated than people think, so Jeremie is a great example of that.

"I think I got a question from one of you sitting over there, 'Could you understand that fans were a bit annoyed that you took Jeremie Frimpong off at that moment?'

"Maybe these same fans should have a different opinion, because even with resting him he got injured, and I think he was sitting here the day before the game telling you all how big of a difference the Bundesliga is to the Premier League.

"So these are the things I have to take into account, and apparently I've played him too much recently for this to happen again. That's really sad for him, but definitely also for us, because our full-back is out for the whole season.

"But we will find a way again. As you saw today, the way is usually as attacking as possible, that's what we did today with players in positions you don't expect them."

Curtis Jones and Joe Gomez are alternative options at right-back, although both missed out against Qarabag. Slot hopes to have them back soon.

"Curtis was sick so we have to wait and see how it evolves. Joe might be tight, I am hoping and expecting to have him back, but I cannot guarantee this yet, but we're hoping that he will be back with us."

Story of the match in stats...

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