By Steven Northover

For all of Liverpool's woes in the Premier League this season, the team is looking strong in Europe. 

With that in mind, Qarabag visit Anfield, with the home side knowing that a point will guarantee qualification for the knockout stages. 

Match Preview

Credit: News.az

Qarabag sit just about midtable in 18th, with a win for the Azerbaijani side almost certainly earning then a place in the Play-offs, so this is far from a forgone conclusion, and any performance like the one against Bournemouth would certainly lead to a loss against an Azerbaijani side that have had wins against Frankfurt, Benfica, and a convincing draw against Chelsea this season. 

Team News

There is no news on a return for Ibrahima Konate, who is currently away on compassionate grounds, so with the injury of Joe Gomez, Virgil Van Dijk is likely to be partnered with a temporary centre back. 

Other than Gomez, Liverpool injuries are the same - with Alexander Isak, Connor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni definitely out. 

Credit: This is Anfield

There is, however, an outside chance that Federico Chiesa could feature, but is more likely to be ready for Newcastle at the weekend. 

For Qarabag, their only injury is Kady Borges, who went off injured against Chelsea in November, and is not likely to be fully fit until next month at the earliest. 

Predicted XI

Liverpool; Alisson, Kerkez, Robertson, Van Dijk, Frimpong, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Gakpo, Wirtz, Salah, Ekitike. 

Qarabag; Kochalski, Cafarquliyev, Medina, Mustafazada, Matheus Silva, Jankovic, Pedro Bicalho, Zoubir, Montiel, Leandro Andrade, Durán 

Pre-Match Verdicts

Qarabag will be a challenge for Liverpool, and the Reds have already lost at home this season, so the result isn't set in stone just yet.

That said, Liverpool should be too strong, so I expect a professional, if not comfortable, 2-0 win