What result does Liverpool need vs Qarabag? Champions League state of play before matchday eight

Liverpool has put itself in a strong position to make the top eight spots in the Champions League, which would mean Arne Slot's men avoiding the two extra games in the play-offs

Arne Slot during a Liverpool press conference.(Image: Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images)

Liverpool has already qualified for the knockout phase of the Champions League but its 3-0 win against Marseille on Wednesday means Arne Slot's side is in a strong position to finish inside the top eight spots.

With one game left — against the Azerbaijani team Qarabag at Anfield — Liverpool is currently fourth in the standings, level on points with Real Madrid but behind on goal difference. Bayern Munich and Arsenal are the top two.

Securing a top-eight spot means missing out on the play-off round and progressing straight into the last-16. Given how many fixtures Liverpool has coming up and the number of injuries that Arne Slot is dealing with, that would be a big boost.

A win for Liverpool next midweek would guarantee a place inside the top eight. A draw would likely be enough, while even a defeat could be, depending on how results go elsewhere.

"That has been crucial from the start," Slot said in his post-match press conference. "In the last 13 games, we have only been 54 minutes behind.

"We have had multiple times a lead, but we have to play a lot of times with the same players because we have three long-term injuries. From the start of the season, we haven't had as big a squad as some of our competitors have.

"It's a lot about the same players and I don't think it's the reason, but you never know if every time the same players have to play, or most of the same players, then that could be then maybe a reason why you run out of energy in some games where we've conceded.

Arne Slot on the touchline during Marseille 0-3 Liverpool.(Image: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

"It is more than people understand. We're already seven or eight months into the season and I don't think Virgil [van Dijk] has had more than three days off. It's the same for Ryan [Gravenberch] and it's the same for all these players.

"But they constantly show up and they constantly show mentality no matter how many setbacks we've had this season and today again as a team we had a very good performance."

Liverpool played well against Marseille but Roberto De Zerbi's team very much played into the Reds' hands. "There are always a few details where they adjust during the game because they then see the way we approach the game," Slot said.

"But I think what you know about Marseille, what you know about this manager is they want to try to bring the ball out from the back in a certain style when they have a goal-kick and in open play they also have a certain style.

"I could also see — and that's why [De Zerbi] is also such a good coach, such a good manager — that he does adjust small things to our game plan.

"That was what makes these games even for me much more interesting than facing low blocks because now you have to be sharp; you have to be alert. You have to adjust in your tactics, and in your game plan against low blocks, it has nothing to do with tactics."

Liverpool.com says: Given how bad things have been at times this season, finishing inside the top eight places would be a major result for the Reds and it should happen from here.

Liverpool has played some big teams in Europe but still come out on top, with Slot's men much better suited to facing teams that come to play against them. For the remainder of the campaign, that could lead to some more big nights.