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Liverpool 6-0 Qarabağ: Salah Ends Drought as Van Dijk Sets Historic Champions League Assist Record
By SportSphere24 Editorial Team | Jan 29, 2026
LIVERPOOL — Anfield witnessed a masterclass in European dominance as Liverpool (18 pts) dismantled Qarabağ FK 6-0 to secure automatic qualification for the Champions League Round of 16. On a night where Mohamed Salah finally found the back of the net again, it was captain Virgil van Dijk who stole the headlines, becoming the first central defender in history to record three assists in a single Champions League match.
The Scoreboard: Liverpool vs. Qarabağ FK
| Team | 1st Half | 2nd Half | Final |
| Liverpool | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| Qarabağ FK | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Game Analysis: Clinical Reds Erase Domestic Doubts
Coming off a shaky Premier League run, Arne Slot’s men used the European stage to send a message to the rest of the continent.
1. Virgil van Dijk: The Playmaking Giant
Van Dijk’s defensive duties were light, so he decided to dominate the offensive third instead.
The Record: By assisting Alexis Mac Allister, Hugo Ekitiké, and Federico Chiesa, Van Dijk became the first center-back to achieve a "hat-trick of assists" in the competition’s history.
The Impact: His vision from deep bypassed Qarabağ's midfield entirely, turning the game into a constant counter-attack drill.
2. Salah’s Statement Goal
After a dry spell dating back to November, Mohamed Salah silenced his critics with a stunning second-half free-kick. His celebration—thumping the Liver bird on his chest—addressed the recent "noise" regarding his contract and form, reigniting the Anfield faithful.
3. The Wirtz-Ekitiké Connection
The summer signings continue to pay dividends. Florian Wirtz scored a sublime solo effort from the edge of the box, while Hugo Ekitiké provided a goal and an assist, proving they are the future of Slot's attacking philosophy.
Stat Leaders & Performance Metrics
| Player | Team | Goals | Assists | Key Pass | Rating |
| Alexis Mac Allister | LIV | 2 | 0 | 2 | 9.2 |
| Virgil van Dijk | LIV | 0 | 3 | 4 | 8.9 |
| Hugo Ekitiké | LIV | 1 | 1 | 3 | 8.5 |
| Florian Wirtz | LIV | 1 | 0 | 5 | 8.4 |
| Mohamed Salah | LIV | 1 | 0 | 2 | 8.1 |