Liverpool 6-0 Qarabag: Can Champions League rescue Liverpool’s season of turmoil?
Liverpool’s victory has to be put in the context of how awful Qarabag are, but any win is good news for the Slots and they are getting the most out of them in Europe following the 3-0 win at Marseille.
It was a landmark night for Salah as he made his 80th Champions League appearance for Liverpool, equaling Jamie Carragher’s club record.
More importantly, he produced a vintage Salah touch to ensure he surrounded himself with a different, more satisfying sound than what he has heard this season.
Salah has failed to score in his previous eight appearances for Liverpool, dating back to the 2-0 win against Aston Villa at Anfield on 1 November. This was all before his rare but calculated open attack following the 3-3 draw at Leeds United.
He came into this match having scored only five goals in 22 matches this season; a meager return compared to the riches he reaped in his magnificent Liverpool career.
Liverpool were already ahead 2-0 when Salah seized the moment he was waiting for in the 50th minute.
The Egyptian had been fouled on the edge of the area and Qarabag paid the price when Dominik Szoboszlai’s quick touch sent a left-footed free kick curling over goalkeeper Mateusz Kochalski and into the top corner.
He received applause from his team-mates before stretching his arms out in front of the Kop and touching the badge on his Liverpool jersey, smiling broadly after the turmoil he has experienced this season.
He returned to the same spot after the final whistle and thanked the Liverpool fans in a rare night of joy in recent times.
It capped an evening of low-key celebration in a tumultuous season for Salah, Slot and Liverpool.
Slot said: “I’m very pleased with the performance. We know we can and still need to improve in both areas, but it was a very good performance.”
“It is always important to score early goals to attract the fans to our side. We know we can do better, but we are satisfied.”
Liverpool has a history full of this glorious tournament. For all their failures in the Premier League, they have given themselves the chance to add more.
