Liverpool will welcome a break from the Premier League this evening as they take on Azerbaijan side Qarabağ FK in the final game of the league phase of the Champions League. The Reds are currently in fourth place, and a win would guarantee them a place in the next round. A draw may be enough. Qarabağ have a chance of qualifying for a play-off place and have had some impressive results so far this campaign, and will not make life easy for their hosts.
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Champions League: Liverpool vs Qarabağ FK Team News and Confirmed Lineups
Liverpool Team News
Arne Slot will be without Ibrahima Konate (personal reasons), Giovanni Leoni (knee), and Joe Gomez for tonight’s game. Gomez has been ruled out due to the injury that forced him to be substituted in the defeat at Bournemouth. Conor Bradley and Alexander Isak remain sidelined and are long-term absentees. Curtis Jones misses out through illness.
Better news for The Reds is that Federico Chiesa is back in training, having missed the last two games.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Liverpool boss Arne Slot admitted that his team must be more clinical. He said: “For me, it’s so simple. In between the boxes we are a very good team. Also, against Bournemouth, so many times we were in positions I want my players to be in.
“But killing those moments. Bringing it from promising positions to creating chances. If we have the chances, then be clinical and finish it off. That is something we have to improve.”
Qarabağ FK Team News
The visitors to Anfield made 11 changes to their team at the weekend, and it saw them beaten 2-0; however, their usual first team will be fresh for the game, where a point should be enough to see them qualify for a place in the playoffs.
Ahead of the game, Qarabağ head coach Gurban Gurbanov said: “We will face a team with a very magnificent stadium, with magnificent fans and a unique game. The players who have always been in this team have always been willing.
“We really want to show a good game here, to fight well. I believe in my players. I believe that they will try to show their best game. We will try to show a good, disciplined game until the end.”
Liverpool Confirmed Lineup
Alisson
Van Dijk
Wirtz
Szoboszlai
Mac Allister
Salah
Gakpo
Ekitike
Robertson
Frimpong
Gravenberch
Subs: Mamardashvili, Woodman, Endo, Kerkez, Chiesa, Nyoni, Nallo, Morrison, Ngumoha.
Qarabağ FK Confirmed Lineup
Kochalski
Silva
Mustafazada
Medina
Cafarquliyev
Bicalho
Jankovic
Andrade
Montiel
Zoubir
Duran
Featured image courtesy of IMAGO / Propaganda
