Anfield will host an important European match on Wednesday as Liverpool take on Azerbaijani champions Qarabağ FK in their final league phase game.
The objective is clear for Liverpool. A win guarantees them a spot in the Round of 16, allowing them to skip the busy play-off round in February. The team is eager to bounce back after a disappointing domestic loss to Bournemouth.
Their performance in Europe has been strong, highlighted by a 3–0 victory at Marseille last week. This match is notable as Qarabağ is the first team starting with ‘Q’ to face Liverpool, leaving only ‘X’ missing from the club’s European opponents.
Liverpool vs Qarabağ – Match preview and team news
- Date: Wednesday, 28 January 2026
- Kick-off: 20:00 GMT
- Venue: Anfield, Liverpool
- Referee: Ivan Kruzliak (SVK)
- VAR: Pol van Boekel (NED)
- Last Meeting: First competitive match
Team News
Liverpool
Liverpool is facing a defensive issue with only one fit senior centre-back. Joe Gomez is out with a hip injury from the weekend, joining Alexander Isak, Conor Bradley, and Giovanni Leoni on the injury list. Ibrahima Konaté is also unavailable due to compassionate leave. Wataru Endo is expected to partner Virgil van Dijk in defense. On a positive note, Federico Chiesa has resumed training and is available to play.
Qarabağ
The visiting team has a mix of availability. Promising player Dastan Satpayev is a doubt after missing their last European game. New signings Lucas Africo, Jaako Oksanen, and Sebastian Zeballos cannot play in this stage. Manager Gurban Gurbanov made significant changes in their recent domestic loss to Kapaz, resting 11 players to prepare a fresh lineup for this match.
Form
Liverpool
Currently, Liverpool is fourth in the Champions League standings, winning 71% of their matches this season. Notably, none of their last 33 group or league phase games in UEFA has ended in a draw, a record going back to December 2020. They have won 13 out of their last 14 home games in the Champions League at Anfield. The team aims to recover from a setback against Bournemouth, which affected their league title aspirations.
Qarabağ
Known as the “Horsemen,” Qarabağ is currently in 18th place in the league phase and hopes to get a play-off spot. They have shown they can be tough opponents, recently drawing with Chelsea and winning against Eintracht Frankfurt and Copenhagen at home. Historically, they have struggled in England, with Azerbaijani teams losing all previous away matches there by a combined score of 13–1.
Predicted Lineups
Liverpool Predicted XI: Alisson; Frimpong, Endo, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Jones, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Ekitiké
Qarabağ Predicted XI: Kochalski; Silva, Mustafazada, Medina, Cafarquliyev; Jankovic, Bicalho; Andrade, Montiel, Zoubir; Duran
How to watch Liverpool vs Qarabağ?
In the UK, the match will be aired live on TNT Sports 2, starting at 19:30 GMT on TV and via the discovery+ app.
Read more- ‘We’re going to win it’ – Arteta makes promise to Arsenal fans following Man Utd defeat
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