Liverpool will fancy their chances in knockout phase

Liverpool's faithful old friend the Champions League has provided respite amid their domestic troubles. So could it now rescue their season as they chase a seventh triumph in the competition?

For all their troubles in the Premier League, Liverpool have looked much more at home in Europe, Wednesday's 6-0 win over Qarabag ensuring an automatic place in the last 16 without the need for a play-off.

And history tells us Liverpool, with the Anfield factor added to the equation, will fancy their chances in the knockout phase.

It is a stretch to paint this Liverpool team, on current form, as anything like potential Champions League winners, but they must never be underestimated in a two-legged format.

It will not turn the spotlight away from Arne Slot with Liverpool so off-colour in the league, but this was as easy as it gets in Europe. Qarabag were compliant opponents, not made of the stuff that enables Premier League opposition to scent blood in almost every game against his side.

It was Slot's biggest winning margin as Liverpool manager, in his 91st game in charge, and their biggest victory since March 2023, when they won 7-0 against Manchester United.

It was a landmark night for Mohamed Salah, making his 80th Champions League appearance for Liverpool to equal Jamie Carragher's club record.

Of greater significance was that he produced a touch of vintage Salah to ensure he surrounded himself with a different, more satisfying noise, than he has heard this season.

The Egyptian had been fouled on the edge of the area, making Qarabag pay when he took Dominik Szoboszlai's quick touch to send a curving left-foot free-kick past goalkeeper Mateusz Kochalski into the top corner.

He took the acclaim of his team-mates before standing with arms outstretched in front of the Kop before tapping the badge on his red shirt, smiling broadly after the turmoil he has been through this season.

After the final whistle, he was back in the same place offering his thanks to Liverpool's supporters on a rare recent night of joy.

It capped an evening of straightforward celebration in a season of tumult for Salah, Slot and Liverpool.