Liverpool hit Qarabag for six as Salah marks return

Arne Slot said before the game it is going to be really difficult to shut down the noise around Liverpool given their struggles so far this season.

- CHRIS MCKENNA AT ANFIELD

Yet this was a performance which surely turns down the volume a little even if it will still be far from silencing the critics.

In Europe, the Reds are certainly setting a different tone to the one in the Premier League.

This was a six-goal rout of a side in Qarabag who are far from European royalty but are still competitive enough that their journey in the competition was not ended by this thrashing.

While Liverpool secured a Champions League last 16 spot to ease some of the pressure around head coach Slot, the Azerbaijan outfit will head to the playoff round as one of the top 24 teams.

So while there won't be any notion that Liverpool's ills are suddenly fixed by one display and negative appraisals totally muted, it still has to be counted as an impressive showing which gives hope there's still plenty for the Reds to play for this season.

Two goals from Alexis Mac Allister and one each from Florian Wirtz, Mo Salah - with his first for the Reds since November - Hugo Ekitike and Federico Chiesa delivered what was the widest margin of victory for the Reds under Slot. It muffles the din which the Dutchman spoke about on the eve of the match. At least, temporarily.

“I didn't mention the noise,” said Slot. “People asked me about the noise and then I reacted on the noise, which is completely normal that there should be noise if you are sixth in the league with Liverpool. Because that's not what we aim for when the season starts.

“There are also reasons why we struggle. That's not even interesting because we should do better. So I think it's fair for everyone to have an opinion.

“Probably, I agree with most of those opinions. But today has shown again that sometimes things are maybe a bit more complicated than people think.”