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Liverpool thrashed Qarabag 6-0 in its final league phase outing in the Champions League, with visiting boss Gurban Gurbanov issuing an apology for his side's performance
Ian Doyle Chief Liverpool FC Writer and James Findlater Content Editor 10:01, 29 Jan 2026
Qarabag boss Gurban Gurbanov during the Champions League game with Liverpool at Anfield(Image: Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images)
Qarabag manager Gurban Gurbanov has acknowledged his side was intimidated by the Anfield atmosphere during their Champions League thrashing at the hands of Liverpool.
The Reds cruised to a commanding 6-0 victory on Wednesday to clinch third position in the league phase standings and secure automatic progression to the round of 16, where they will face one of Club Brugge, Galatasaray, Juventus or Atletico Madrid..
Alexis Mac Allister found the net twice whilst Florian Wirtz, Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike and replacement Federico Chiesa all got on the scoresheet, and ended their opponent's slim hopes of reaching the top eight themselves.
READ MORE: Mohamed Salah makes Liverpool feelings clear immediately after ending goal droughtREAD MORE: 'I'll be back' - Trent Alexander-Arnold has already confirmed Liverpool return planIt marked the Azerbaijan champions' maiden appearance at Anfield, and they endured the heaviest defeat for an opponent during Arne Slot's tenure.
Gurbanov reflected (as per the Liverpool Echo): "The Liverpool stadium affected our players but if we play here again we will be better. After the game we had a talk and the players admitted they can play better.
"The players weren't happy because they understood they didn't play well enough.
It was a night to forget for Qarabag on its first visit to Anfield(Image: Getty Images)
"We are sorry that we lost the game. I congratulate Liverpool. If you look at the eight games we have had, we have taken a lot of risks and we did that again here. But we could have played better."
Despite the comprehensive defeat, Qarabag secured a spot within the top 24 and will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Newcastle United in next month's play-off stage.
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Gurbanov concluded: "We were trying the best we could to get higher up the 24 but the opponents have been getting stronger and there are bigger games ahead. Hopefully we'll be ready for the play-offs and prepare better.
"Every team has their way of playing. If we had to learn a lesson from this game, it's not to play like this – we have to play better.
"Among the eight opponents we had in this opening stage, we didn't have any easy opponents and the players had the courage to play."
English (US) ·