Liverpool vs FK Qarabag Predictions

• Liverpool have won 20 of their last 27 Champions League games with at least four goals in 12
• Qarabag have lost three of their last five Champions League games with at least four goals in four
• Dominik Szoboszlai has scored in four of Liverpool’s last five Champions League matches

Reds set sights on the right result

Liverpool have more to gain from Wednesday’s concluding league phase fixture against Qarabag and should be able to get the result they need to avoid a two-legged play-off round tie next month.

Arne Slot’s Reds suffered a setback on the south coast on Saturday when losing 3-2 to Bournemouth in the Premier League. That result halted a 13-match unbeaten run that was perhaps papering over a few cracks in a side that are nowhere near the team that cruised to the title last season.

Individual errors were costly on Saturday, but there is still an imbalance in the formula Slot has utilised this term. He has tinkered with the formation too in recent matches, but a reversion to the 4-3-3 is likely for the visit of the Azerbaijani champions.

Qarabag have nothing to lose

Qarabag are 99.5% through to the knockout phase play-off round and can go to Anfield with an attitude of ‘we have nothing to lose’. That could be dangerous to the hosts, who need to bounce back and convince their fans that the season is not heading for oblivion.

Gurban Gurbanov’s side lost 2-0 to Kapaz in the league last weekend, but the coach made 11 changes and saw his back-up keeper play like a rusty gate. The spirited performance he got out of his starters in last week’s 3-2 home win over Eintracht Frankfurt is more likely to be repeated at Anfield.

Qarabag don’t hesitate to press high and play with a cautious high defensive line, which could lead to plenty of goalmouth action in this game. At least four goals have been scored in four of their last five European games and that is a worthwhile addition to a bet on Liverpool to win, which they really should still do if their big players turn up.