Virgil van Dijk delivered a night for the record books as Liverpool swept aside Qarabag 6-0 at Anfield, with the captain becoming the first centre-back to register a hat-trick of assists in a single Champions League match.
The Dutch defender marshalled the back line with authority and then made a decisive impact at the other end, helping Arne Slot’s side overpower their Azerbaijani visitors with five different goalscorers on a dominant European evening.
Liverpool’s opening breakthrough came inside the first quarter of an hour, with Van Dijk nodding the ball down for Alexis Mac Allister to strike. From there, the Reds never loosened their grip, turning the contest into a one-sided display of control and creativity.
The result carried extra weight for a Liverpool side that has not always found defensive consistency during the 2025–26 campaign. A rare clean sheet was paired with relentless attacking freedom, allowing players across the pitch to influence the final outcome.
Anfield crackled with expectation from kickoff, and Liverpool’s early intent was clear. The hosts pressed high, circulated possession quickly, and repeatedly forced Qarabag into deep defensive positions. Van Dijk’s composure in buildup set the tempo, while the midfield rotated fluidly to stretch the visitors.
Clear chances followed as Liverpool dictated the rhythm. Qarabag struggled to escape their half, and their goalkeeper was called into action several times before the interval as the pressure mounted.
The goals themselves reflected Liverpool’s variety. Van Dijk’s first assist came via intelligent anticipation in the box, his second through a raking long pass that released Hugo Ekitike for the fifth goal in the 57th minute. The third arrived late on when Federico Chiesa was calmly teed up to finish off the rout.
Any hope of a response after the break quickly faded as Liverpool tightened their grip. Momentum remained firmly with the home side, and tactical adjustments only served to open more space for runners from midfield and wide areas.
Late on, the contest turned into an exhibition of confidence and control, with Liverpool pushing forward without sacrificing defensive discipline. Van Dijk continued to organize at the back while calmly stepping into midfield when required.
The win secures Liverpool’s place in the Champions League last 16 after a third-place finish in the league phase, allowing them to bypass the playoff round. Van Dijk now has five goal contributions in the competition this season, second only to Dominik Szoboszlai within the squad.
Attention now shifts back to domestic matters, with Liverpool preparing to host Newcastle in the Premier League. With knockout football ahead in Europe and momentum building, this emphatic performance may yet prove a defining moment in their season.
Incredible from VVD 👏🇳🇱 pic.twitter.com/ywe9RmsZyY
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 28, 2026
