Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Lille at Anfield tightened their grip on high spot within the league section of the Champions League with a seventh consecutive win.
Mohamed Salah’s first-half purpose put Arne Slot’s facet on high and although there was a shock blip when Jonathan David equalised quickly after Lille had been decreased to 10 following Aissa Mandi’s crimson card, Harvey Elliott’s deflected strike received the sport.
Barcelona’s dramatic 5-4 win away to Benfica signifies that Liverpool nonetheless want yet another level to make sure of high spot however no person can now overtake their tally of 21 factors after seven consecutive wins. No imply feat provided that Lille had been on a 21-game unbeaten run.
Harvey Elliott scored Liverpool’s winner
Slot was capable of rotate some stars, substituting Ryan Gravenberch at half-time and introducing Trent Alexander-Arnold late on, and may now go to PSV for the ultimate recreation understanding {that a} draw might be sufficient for a staff that stay Champions League favourites.
Participant of the match: Mohamed Salah
After changing into the primary Liverpool participant to attain 50 objectives in Europe, Mohamed Salah informed Amazon Prime:
“Hopefully I am not the final one. I wasn’t targeted on the file earlier than the sport. It is one thing I am very comfortable and pleased with, particularly as a result of we received the sport, that is an important factor.
“Lille had a very good recreation plan, they had been unbeaten for 21 video games and had been a tricky staff. They confirmed that within the first half and second half, so I’ll give them credit score, however I am glad we managed to win.”
Salah on the similarities between this Liverpool staff and the 2019 Champions League winners beneath Jurgen Klopp:
“It is totally different. Completely different supervisor, totally different gamers. We have now 4, 5 – 6 left from that squad, however we’ve got good expertise, gamers who work very onerous, and a supervisor with good concepts. We’re simply going to provide it a try to see.”
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah celebrates with team-mates Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones
Slot ‘extra impressed than crowd’
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot chatting with Amazon Prime:
“We’re comfortable we’re high eight. That is the one factor that tells me one thing as a result of this league desk would not.
“Usually in tennis, if you happen to’re primary if you happen to play the quantity 24, you realize they’re inferior to the quantity 16, however as a result of we play totally different groups, perhaps the quantity 24 is healthier than the quantity 16.
“We need to be on high of the league however we’ve got to attend and see if that is a bonus.
“As a supervisor I am a bit extra impressed than I believe the gang, who may need thought it was solely Lille. However I knew they had been 21 video games unbeaten. They beat Actual Madrid and Atletico Madrid and, with all due respect, did so with out one of the best gamers on the earth.
“That tells you they’re very properly organised and tough to play by. They’re a hard-working staff, so it was not straightforward. I used to be proud of the endurance we had, not forcing tough passes however maintaining the ball and having full dominance.
“The one factor I wasn’t comfortable about was, for a couple of weeks now, it was one probability conceded, one purpose conceded.”
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