Liverpool's Champions League campaign continues to flourish as they secured their place in the last 16 with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Lille at Anfield on Tuesday night. The Reds maintained their 100% record, having won all seven matches in the competition so far this season, and now sit atop the table with 21 points, three clear of second-placed Barcelona.
The match started on the right note for Liverpool when Mohamed Salah found the back of the net, his strike marking his 50th European goal for the club. Salah's goal came in the 34th minute, as he expertly finished off a long pass from Curtis Jones with skill and precision.
Despite their solid position, Liverpool faced unexpected trouble soon after. Lille's Jonathan David leveled the game just three minutes after Aissa Mandi had been sent off with his second yellow card, taking advantage of the chaos following a blocked shot from Hakon Arnar Haraldsson.
But Liverpool quickly regained their advantage. Just 67 minutes in, after some defensive scrambling from Lille following a corner, substitute Harvey Elliott fired off a deflected shot to secure the win for the home side.
Liverpool’s manager, Arne Slot, praised his team's performance, particularly highlighting the contributions of Salah and Elliott. He stated, “This was not our best display, but we controlled the game well, especially after going back in front.”
Slot expressed his satisfaction with sustaining the winning streak, but also acknowledged the need for improvement, remarking, “If we showed more composure, we could have cruised to victory.”
The team made several changes leading up to this match, showcasing their depth and strategy. Conor Bradley and Jarell Quansah got opportunities to add minutes under their belts, and Slot's adjustments appeared to have paid off.
Defensively, Virgil van Dijk and Quansah performed solidly, managing to largely keep Lille's prolific forward Jonathan David quiet for much of the match. Their defensive unity allowed Liverpool to control the game for extended periods.
Mandi's red card undoubtedly shifted the momentum, but Liverpool’s initial failure to capitalize on this advantage exposed gaps they should have exploited faster. Liverpool’s players were credited for their perseverance and tenacity, particularly after Lille’s equalizer.
Player ratings from the match reflected Liverpool's balanced performance. Salah earned praise for his decisive play, receiving an 8 out of 10 rating. Harvey Elliott, who came off the bench, also earned high marks for his impact, particularly after scoring the winning goal. Alisson Becker and the rest of the defense, though tested less frequently, received solid evaluations for their capabilities.
Looking forward, Slot confirmed the next fixture against PSV Eindhoven on January 29 will be pivotal for maintaining momentum as they finish the league phase of the tournament. “Every match from here on out is important, and we need to maintain our focus,” Slot concluded.
For Liverpool fans, the team’s flawless approach to this season’s Champions League is certainly promising, with hopes running high for what lies beyond the group stage.