Salah scores as Liverpool beat Qarabag to qualify for UCL last 16

Mohamed Salah was on target for the first time since November as Liverpool thrashed Qarabag to secure automatic qualification for the last 16 of the Champions League.

Salah scored Liverpool’s third goal as Arne Slot’s side once again found respite in Europe amid domestic struggles in the Premier League.

The Egyptian last scored in Liverpool’s win over Aston Villa on 1 November. Since then, he has put his long-term future in doubt with a public criticism of Slot and the club after being dropped, before heading off to the Africa Cup of Nations with his country.

Liverpool took control after 15 minutes when Alexis Mac Allister headed home from a corner, with goal-line technology confirming the ball had crossed the line despite desperate attempts by Qarabag goalkeeper Mateusz Kochalski to claw it out.

Florian Wirtz’s crisp low finish doubled Liverpool’s lead six minutes later before Salah’s big moment arrived five minutes after the break.

Salah had been fouled on the edge of the area before curling the resulting free-kick into the top corner from Dominic Szoboszlai’s touch, celebrating flamboyantly in front of the Kop.

Qarabag were run ragged as Liverpool quickly added two more goals. Hugo Ekitike raced clear to score before Mac Allister tapped in his second from close range following a defensive shambles.

Substitute Federico Chiesa completed the rout with a simple finish from Virgil van Dijk’s pass in the closing moments.

Liverpool’s only disappointment on an otherwise comfortable night was another muscle injury to Jeremie Frimpong, which forced him off inside the opening two minutes.