Arne Slot to ring the changes as injury-hit Liverpool take on Qarabag | OneFootball

Liverpool are just one win away from booking a place in the Champions League last 16 as they welcome Qarabag FK to Anfield for Wednesday’s league-phase finale.

Despite going through a frustrating Premier League campaign, Europe has continued to offer a sense of comfort for Arne Slot’s side, who remain firmly in control of their own fate.

The Reds arrive on the back of a convincing 3-0 win away to Ligue 1 giants Olympique Marseille.

Liverpool were expected to be tested by Roberto De Zerbi’s attack-minded team, but instead delivered a classic Champions League performance to see off the French powerhouse.

Goals from Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo on either side of an unfortunate Geronimo Rulli own goal helped the Reds see out a comfortable victory.

The win against Marseille was Liverpool’s fourth success from their last five Champions League games.

They’ll now head into the group phase finale in fourth place, two points clear of ninth-placed Barcelona and 13th-placed Atalanta.

A win against Qarabag will allow them to skip the play-off round and move straight into the last 16.

Liverpool are heading into this contest as overwhelming favourites, given the massive difference in quality between the two teams.

To further bolster their chances, Anfield has been a fortress in the Champions League.

Before their heavy 4-1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven, Liverpool had won 16 consecutive Champions League home games in the league or group phase.

The pummelling at the hands of PSV also represents one of just three defeats from their last 20 Champions League games at this stage.

How Liverpool could line up

Having failed to capitalise on that huge Marseille win on their return to domestic duties, Slot will hope a much-changed XI can get his side back to winning ways against one of the competition’s underdogs.

Alisson will likely retain his place in goal, but there could be changes across other areas of the pitch.

Wataru Endo and Andrew Robertson, who has been linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur, should join the backline alongside Virgil van Dijk and Jeremie Frimpong.

Curtis Jones and Ryan Gravenberch may be tasked with anchoring the midfield, although Slot may decide to rest the latter and replace him with academy talent Trey Nyoni.

Rio Ngumoha could also be handed a rare start in attack alongside Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo, while Hugo Ekitike leads the line.