Salah spot-kick retains Liverpool good in Europe with slender win over Girona

Mohamed Salah scored his fiftieth UEFA Champions League objective as table-topping Liverpool made it six wins from six courtesy of a hard-fought 1-0 victory at lowly Girona.

The Reds’ Egyptian talisman coolly transformed a spot kick simply previous the hour to snare his sixteenth objective of the season and a landmark one in Europe’s elite competitors.

Liverpool had been grateful to returning No.1 goalkeeper Alisson, who was stored busy all through an end-to-end first half.

On the different finish, Liverpool additionally had their moments with Darwin Nunez going shut on a couple of event.

The match turned within the second half when VAR intervened to advocate the referee seek the advice of the pitch-side monitor following a problem by former Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek on Luis Diaz.

The penalty was ultimately awarded and Salah fired house within the 63rd minute for what proved to be the profitable objective.

The consequence means Liverpool preserve prime spot within the standings with an ideal file from six matches performed.

The Reds now look all however sure to complete within the prime eight, however the defeat spells massive bother for plucky Girona, who sit thirtieth with 5 defeats from six outings.

Liverpool will now shelve the Champions League till January and return focus to the Premier League with a conflict at house to Fulham on Saturday afternoon. Girona go to Mallorca in La Liga.

This was removed from classic and extra of a gritty win within the context of the excessive requirements Liverpool have set themselves to date this season.

The underside line is that they floor out a victory that places them on the verge of qualification for the final 16, and they’re going to absolutely keep away from the playoff matches, which might nicely be important as Slot tries to navigate his squad via a heavy schedule.

Certainly, The Reds’ closing two league part video games are at house to Lille and away to PSV in January, and given the standings, the Merseysiders could have the bonus of having the ability to relaxation key gamers as they proceed their push on all fronts.

The membership’s No.1 goalkeeper absolutely justified his rapid return to the beginning XI following an 11-match absence. Caoimhin Kelleher could really feel exhausting finished by given his spectacular shows throughout that interval, however Alisson was excellent all through right here, commanding his space and producing sensible saves to put the muse for a gritty victory for the Merseysiders.

Girona: Gazzaniga 7, Miguel 7, Blind 7, Asprilla 7, Romeu 7, Juanpe 7, Frances 7, Van de Beek 7, Krejci 7, Danjuma 6, Bryan 7. Subs: Portu 6, Stuani 6, Martin 6, Solis 6

Liverpool: Alisson 8*, Alexander-Arnold 7, Gomez 7, Van Dijk 7, Robertson 7, Szoboszlai 7, Gravenberch 8, Jones 6, Salah 6, Nunez 5, Diaz 6. Subs: Gakpo 6, Elliott 6, Endo n/a..

07’ – LIVERPOOL CHANCE! Gravenberch majestically turns within the midfield and slides a ball via for Nunez however the Uruguayan’s thumping strike from the left facet of the world is crushed away by the keeper at his close to put up.

12’ – GIRONA CHANCE! Miguel Gutierrez teases a devilish cross in for Daley Blind, who utterly misses his kick in entrance of Alisson simply six yards out. The free ball is hammered in the direction of objective by Alejandro Frances, however the Liverpool shot-stopper is again as much as make an important save.

36’ – LIVERPOOL CHANCE! Nunez escapes on the correct facet of the field, however as soon as once more, he can’t discover the end as Paulo Gazzaniga is out nicely to dam at his ft.

63’ – GOAL! – Girona 0-1 Liverpool: (Salah). Salah steps up and sends Gazzaniga the unsuitable method from the spot. The referee awarded the penalty after VAR intervened to ask him to seek the advice of the pitch-side monitor following Van de Beek’s problem on Diaz.