Updated.. Liverpool vs Qarabag FK Live (2-0): Reds race into a two-goal lead as Wirtz and Mac Allister strike early at Anfield

Anfield is roaring and Liverpool vs Qarabag FK Live has burst into life on Matchday 8 of the UEFA Champions League league phase. By the half-hour mark on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, Arne Slot’s side were two to the good thanks to Alexis Mac Allister and Florian Wirtz, a ruthless reply to an early injury reshuffle that saw Jeremie Frimpong withdrawn inside five minutes.

Score & Status — Liverpool vs Qarabag FK Live

• Status: Live (29’)

• Score: Liverpool 2–0 Qarabag FK

• Venue: Anfield, Liverpool

Kickoff (Time Zones)

• USA (ET) — Wed, Jan 28, 3:00 PM (New York)

• USA (PT) — Wed, Jan 28, 12:00 PM (Los Angeles)

• Canada (Toronto) — Wed, Jan 28, 3:00 PM

• UK (London) — Wed, Jan 28, 8:00 PM

Live Timeline (Key Moments)

• 3’: Frimpong pulls up off the ball; concern on the Liverpool bench.

• 5’: Substitution — Wataru Endo replaces Frimpong; Gravenberch continues in a makeshift back line alongside Van Dijk.

• 9’: First shot on target belongs to Qarabag — Duran stings Alisson’s gloves from Montiel’s through ball.

• 12’: Ekitike curls just wide after cutting inside; Liverpool turn the screw.

• 15’: GOAL! Liverpool 1–0 — Mac Allister forces it over the line with a close-range header after pinball at the back post from a left-side corner.

• 21’: GOAL! Liverpool 2–0 — Wirtz rifles low into the corner from the edge of the box after Ekitike drives and slips him in.

• 25’: Gravenberch’s rash challenge in his own area goes unpunished; Salah breaks and nearly finds Gakpo on the counter.

• 28’: Qarabag win a rare corner, but Liverpool clear and reassert control.
  (Liverpool vs Qarabag FK Live continues to build with the hosts in command.)

Standout Performers & Turning Points

• Florian Wirtz — Found the half-spaces early, then delivered with a clean strike for 2–0; constant threat drifting between the lines.

• Alexis Mac Allister — Timed his header and late runs to perfection; dictating tempo alongside Szoboszlai.

• Hugo Ekitike — Assist for Wirtz and a focal point for direct carries that unsettle Qarabag’s block.

• Virgil van Dijk — Calm authority as Liverpool reshuffled after the early injury; key interventions when Qarabag tried to spring transitions.

• Turning point: The Mac Allister opener at 15’ immediately tilted momentum; Qarabag’s best window was before the first goal.

Lineups & Shape (confirmed)

• Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Frimpong (off 5’ Endo), Gravenberch, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike.

• Qarabag FK (4-2-3-1): Kochalski; Silva, Mustafazada, Medina, Cafarquliyev; Jankovic, Bicalho; Andrade, Montiel, Zoubir; Duran.

Match Stats (if available)

What It Means — Liverpool vs Qarabag FK Live

With a win tonight, Liverpool lock in a top-eight finish in the league phase and skip the dreaded play-off round; at 2–0 they’re managing game state and minutes smartly despite a mounting injury list. Qarabag, who began the night on the fringes of the play-off places, need a response and greater incision on the break — Zoubir and Montiel have shown flashes, but the visitors must threaten Alisson more consistently to keep their knockout hopes alive as Liverpool tighten their grip.

This is a live report and will update as the action develops.