Mohamed Salah was on target for the first time since November as Liverpool thrashed Qarabag to automatically reach the last 16 of the Champions League.
Salah scored Liverpool’s third as Arne Slot’s side once again found respite in the competition away from domestic troubles in the Premier League.
The Egyptian last scored in Liverpool’s win against Aston Villa on 1 November – since when he put his long-term future in question with a public attack on Slot and the club after being dropped, then went to the Africa Cup Of Nations with his country.
It was all smiles here, though, as Liverpool outclassed the Azerbaijan side, the outcome never in doubt.
Liverpool were on their way after 15 minutes when Alexis Mac Allister headed home from a corner, technology ruling the ball had crossed the line despite the desperate attempts of 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 being run ragged, Liverpool quickly adding two more when Hugo Ekitike raced clear, then Mac Allister tapped in his second from almost on the goalline after a defensive shambles.
Substitute Federico Chiesa completed the rout with a simple finish from Virgil van Dijk’s pass in the final moments.
Liverpool’s only disappointment on a comfortable night was another muscle injury to Jeremie Frimpong, which forced him off inside the first two minutes.
