Here’s a rewritten version of the article, aiming for 100% uniqueness, an engaging tone, and a clear structure with H2 and H3 tags:
—
## High Stakes on Merseyside: Liverpool Target Champions League Progression Against Qarabag
Liverpool finds themselves at a pivotal moment, eager for a resurgence as they prepare to host Azerbaijani side Qarabag in their final Champions League league phase encounter. Following a disappointing 3-2 defeat to Bournemouth in the Premier League, which saw them drop to sixth, the Reds are desperate for a morale-boosting victory to solidify their European ambitions.
The six-time European champions currently sit fourth in the standings. While they hold a strong position, a win on home turf is imperative to guarantee automatic qualification for the coveted round of 16 without relying on other results. This match isn’t just about pride; it’s about securing their path in Europe’s elite competition.
Meanwhile, Qarabag arrives with their own aspirations very much alive. They remain firmly in contention for a top-24 finish, which would secure a place in the two-legged play-off tie in February, offering them a pathway to the last 16. For them, every point is gold, making this clash a truly competitive affair.
Here’s a closer look at the key details ahead of this crucial European showdown.
—
## The Reds’ XI: Liverpool’s Expected Line-up Against Qarabag
Jürgen Klopp’s tactical choices will be under scrutiny as Liverpool seeks to rebound. Here’s the projected starting lineup:
**Liverpool Starting XI:** Alisson, Frimpong, Gravenberch, Van Dijk, Robertson, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Salah, Gakpo, Ekitike.
**Substitutes:** Mamardashvili, Woodman, Endo, Kerkez, Chiesa, Nyoni, Nallo, Morrison, Ngumoha
—
## Qarabag’s Squad: The Azerbaijani Challengers
Qarabag will be looking to upset the odds at Anfield. Their expected line-up features:
**Qarabag XI:** Kochalski, Cafarquliyev, Medina, Mustafazada, Silva, Jankovic, Bicalho, Zoubir, Montiel, Andrade, Duran
**Substitutes:** Mmaee, Kouakou, Akhundzada, Addai, Bolt, Kashchuk, Qurbanli, Bayramov, A. Huseynov, B. Huseynov, Ramazanov, Buntic
—
## Catch the Action: How to Watch Liverpool vs. Qarabag
Don’t miss a moment of this critical Champions League fixture!
Liverpool’s clash with Qarabag is scheduled to kick off at 20:00 GMT (15:00 ET / 12:00 PT) on Wednesday. For viewers in the UK, the match will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 2 and TNT Sports Ultimate, with streaming available through the Discovery Plus app.
For international viewers, please consult [THIS LINK](https://www.101greatgoals.com/how-to-watch-liverpool-vs-qarabag-tv-and-online-streams/) to locate your local broadcasting rights holder and ensure you don’t miss any of the drama.
—
## Head-to-Head & European Pedigree: Match Statistics
This encounter marks a fresh chapter in European football history:
* **A First Meeting:** Remarkably, this will be the inaugural competitive meeting between Liverpool and Qarabag in any European competition.
* **English Challenge:** Qarabag’s prior record against English opposition in Europe has been tough, with seven consecutive losses before securing a draw against Chelsea earlier this season.
* **Anfield Fortress:** The Azerbaijani side has historically struggled on English soil, suffering defeats in all four of their previous away matches against English clubs, with an aggregate scoreline of 13-1.
—
## The Road Ahead: Champions League Knockout Phase Schedule
Here are the key dates for the business end of the competition:
* **Knockout Phase Play-offs:** February 17/18 & 24/25, 2026
* **Round of 16:** March 10/11 & 17/18, 2026
* **Quarter-finals:** April 7/8 & 14/15, 2026
* **Semi-finals:** April 28/29 & May 5/6, 2026
* **Final:** May 30, 2026 (Budapest)
—
## Mark Your Calendars: Champions League Draw Dates
The anticipation builds with these crucial draw dates:
* **Knockout Phase Play-offs Draw:** January 30, 2026
* **Round of 16, Quarter-final, Semi-final, and Final Draws:** February 27, 2026
—
## Unpacking the New Era: Champions League 2025/26 Format Explained
This season introduces a revolutionary format, moving away from the traditional group stage to a single, expansive league phase.
### The League Stage
Each participating team will compete in eight matches, facing eight distinct opponents. This comprises four home fixtures and four away fixtures, with opponents strategically drawn from four seeding pots based on their UEFA rankings. Teams will encounter two opponents from each pot – one at home and one away – with all results contributing to a unified league table.
### Advancing to the Knockouts
The top eight teams in this comprehensive league table will automatically secure their spots in the prestigious round of 16. Teams finishing between ninth and 24th will enter a high-stakes, two-legged knockout phase play-off to earn their place in the last 16. Any team finishing 25th or lower will conclude their European journey for the season.
—
## English Dominance: Six Clubs in the Champions League Explained
This year, an impressive six English teams qualified for the Champions League, a testament to the Premier League’s strength.
### UEFA Coefficient Boost
Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, and Newcastle all earned their spots by finishing within the top five of the Premier League. The extra position awarded to English teams stems from UEFA’s co-efficient rankings, which reward nations for their collective performances across all European competitions throughout a given season.
### Europa League Triumph
Tottenham Hotspur secured their place as the reigning Europa League champions. This unique qualification path allowed them entry despite finishing 17th in their 2024/25 league campaign, having lost 22 and won only 11 of their matches.
—
## The Grand Finale: When and Where is the Champions League Final?
The pinnacle of European club football will take place on **May 30, 2026**, at the magnificent **Puskás Aréna in Budapest**.
Opened in 2019, this state-of-the-art stadium is the proud home of Hungary’s national team. It previously hosted a dramatic 2022/23 Europa League final, where Sevilla emerged victorious over Roma in a penalty shootout after a thrilling 1-1 draw following extra time, setting a precedent for high-stakes drama.
—
## The Red Army: Liverpool’s Champions League Squad 2025/26
Liverpool’s List A Champions League squad is officially registered until the round of 16 in February 2026. At that point, clubs have the opportunity to register a maximum of three new players, provided they remain within the existing limit of 25.
**Goalkeepers:** Alisson, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Freddie Woodman
**Defenders:** Joe Gomez, Endo, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Milos Kerkez, Connor Bradley, Andy Robertson, Jeremie Frimpong
**Midfielders:** Florian Wirtz, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Curtis Jones, Ryan Gravenberch
**Forwards:** Alexander Isak, Mo Salah, Cody Gakpo, Hugo Ekitike, Rio Ngumoha, Federico Chiesa
### List B Additions
List B players, typically those born after January 1, 2004, who have been eligible to play for the club for an uninterrupted period of two years since their 15th birthday, can also be submitted up until midnight before each match. Midfielders Stefan Bajcetic and Trey Nyoni, along with forward Jayden Danns, are initially included on List B.
—