Red Bull Salzburg 0-2 Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool booked their place in the knockout phase of the Champions League tonight with an impressive victory over a dangerous Red Bull Salzburg.
The Reds just needed a draw to qualify for the round of 16, and after an end-to-end first 45 minutes, even that looked in doubt. But two goals in two minutes early in the second half settled any Liverpool nerves.
Red Bull head coach Jesse Marsch can be proud of the way his young team has performed in a difficult group, but tonight, their usually free-scoring forwards came up against a world-class defence and a keeper on form.
In other Group E Champions League 2019 news, Napoli needed to see off Genk, and did so in style, with a thumping 4-0 win, and so the Serie A side joins Liverpool in the next stage.
Highlights of the game
Salzburg showed both sides of their game in the opening minutes: suspect defence and explosive attack.
The Austrians allowed Mo Salah in on goal and his shot was destined for the bottom corner until keeper Cican Stankovic stuck out a boot to save. Then, Red Bull broke when Takumi Minamino’s clever backheel released Hee-Chang Hwang, but his effort was saved by Alisson.
After a fast start from the hosts, Liverpool seemed to be getting a foothold in the game. Sadio Mane had a good chance on 20 minutes, which Stankovic blocked. Naby Keita followed up and his shot was charged down before Trent Alexander-Arnold skied his effort.
At the other end, Hwang almost got Erling Braut Haaland in, but Alisson was quick to stop the danger. Then, the Reds keeper made a good save from Haaland when the big Norwegian hit a fierce shot on goal.
On the half-hour, Liverpool had a huge chance to break the deadlock. Keita played in Salah, and as we all expected the net to bulge, the Egyptian screwed his shot wide of the near post.
The Reds had a scare at the start of the second half when Haaland’s shot appeared to hit Dejan Lovren on the arm. The home players and fans appealed for a penalty, but the ref waved play on. And then, on 49 minutes Salah had another great chance when Mane put him through, but this time he blazed his shot over the bar.
Stankovic dove at Salah’s feet to make a brave save as the Egyptian looked set to break his duck and then, at the other end, Haaland blasted one into the side netting.
But in the blink of an eye, Liverpool were 0-2 up.
First, Naby Keita broke Red Bull’s resistance on 57 minutes, when Mane got in behind the defence before chipping over for the Guinean midfielder to head home. And 100 seconds later, after squandering two golden opportunities, Salah finally got his goal, and what a goal it was!
The Liverpool striker latched on to a long ball and took it round the keeper, but even though his touch took him wide, he still scored from the tightest of angles to seal the deal.
And that was that. Salah and Mane both had chances to make it 3-0, but two was more than enough for the celebrating band of travelling fans.
Key statistics
This game was still on a knife-edge at half-time, and while Liverpool had enjoyed more possession and shots, 57 per cent and eight to seven, the hosts had given Alisson a busy 45 minutes with six shots on target to Liverpool’s three.
Here at SBOBET, we expected goals in the first half, but we didn’t have to wait long after the break when Klopp’s team booked their place in the round of 16 with two explosive minutes early in the second period.
The Champions League 2019 betting odds had Liverpool as third favourites to lift the trophy before kick-off, and at half-time that looked seriously under threat. But the Reds took control in the second 45, eventually winning the shot count by 21 to 11 with both teams having seven on target.
Salah’s goal took a while coming, but it’s his 19th for Liverpool in the Champions League.
What’s next?
Now it’s back to the Premier League for Liverpool where they hold an eight-point lead over Leicester City at the top of the table. And they are highly likely to maintain that when they entertain bottom club Watford at Anfield.
The Hornets have raised eyebrows this week, appointing their third manager of the season, this time plumping for Nigel Pearson, the ex-Leicester head coach.
Salzburg are unbeaten in 17 games in the Austrian Bundesliga and have an away game to Hartberg on Saturday; the sixth-place side have won three and lost two of their last five.
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