Liverpool secured their spot in the Champions League last 16 with a commanding victory over Qarabag at Anfield on Wednesday evening. A brace from Alexis Mac Allister along with strikes from Florian Wirtz, Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike and Federico Chiesa sealed a third-place finish in the standings and automatic qualification to the knockout rounds, bypassing the play-off stage.

Arne Slot’s men entered the match aware that victory would guarantee their position in the top eight and their passage straight through to the last 16. Despite an early setback when Jeremie Frimpong succumbed to injury in the opening minutes, it proved to be a very comfortable night. Mac Allister broke the deadlock in the 15th minute, bundling home a corner at the far post, with goal-line technology confirming his header had crossed the line before goalkeeper Mateusz Kochalski managed to scoop it clear.

The advantage doubled six minutes later when Ekitike weaved through the backline before setting up Wirtz to drill home from the edge of the area.

Salah bent in a free-kick following a clever touch from Dominik Szoboszlai shortly after the interval to put the outcome beyond question.

Ekitike pounced on a Virgil van Dijk clearance to break clear and make it four before Mac Allister rounded the stopper to grab his second and Liverpool’s fifth of the night.

Chiesa, coming on as a substitute, scored his first goal since September to make it six of the best, rounding off a flawless evening for Liverpool.

This result ensured their progression to the last 16, while teams ranked ninth to 24th face two-legged play-offs.

Following a well-deserved break, Liverpool will take on the team that finishes 13th, 14th, 19th or 20th, depending on the outcome of the play-off and subsequent draw.

This could see them pitted against Juventus, Atletico Madrid, Club Brugge or Galatasaray.

Juventus ended up 13th after a goalless draw with Monaco, while Atletico Madrid finished 14th following a 2-1 home defeat to Bodo/Glimt.

Club Brugge concluded their campaign with a 3-0 victory over Marseille, and Galatasaray suffered a 2-0 loss away to Manchester City.

In the league phase, Liverpool were beaten by Galatasaray and PSV Eindhoven but secured victories over Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid, Eintracht Frankfurt, Inter Milan, Marseille and Qarabag.