Mohamed Salah's second-half penalty allowed Liverpool to maintain their 100% record in this season's Champions League with a 1-0 win at Girona on Tuesday.
2024/2025 UEFA Champions League
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Match Report
Runaway leaders in both the Premier League and European football's new elite league phase, Liverpool are now on the brink of the last 16 with two games to spare.
Girona suffered their fifth defeat from six in the competition but made the Reds work for their victory and in the opening half had chances to take the lead.
There were foiled by Alisson, though, with the Brazil goalkeeper fit again and restored to the Liverpool XI for the first time since suffering a hamstring injury in early October.
While Liverpool struggled to create at times at the other end, they found their breakthrough from the spot in the 63rd minute after a VAR review highlighted a foul by Donny van de Beek on Luis Diaz.
Salah converted from 12 yards, and Liverpool were able to keep their hosts at arm's length thereafter to continue a sensational season.
Data debrief: Stars at either end sustain Slot's Reds
Salah was a predictable hero for Liverpool, netting his 16th of the campaign. With 12 assists, too, his 28 goal involvements in all competitions are the most of any player in Europe's top five leagues this term. This winner was also his 50th Champions League goal.
That's now @ChampionsLeague goals for the Egyptian King pic.twitter.com/y5Bm0agIw5
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 10, 2024
But the Reds were also reliant on the returning Alisson, whose five saves ensured a fifth straight Champions League clean sheet for his side.
While Slot may have been slightly concerned by Girona's ability to create 1.02 expected goals, with Newcastle United similarly productive in their last match, Liverpool will be delighted to have their star goalkeeper back as a last line of defence.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
4' Joe Gomez's header from close range is saved in the top centre!
7' Darwin Nunez's fierce drive is kept out by Paulo Gazzaniga at his near post!
12' Blind misses the ball yards from goal before Frances' strike is held by Alisson!
12' Mohamed Salah is caught in two minds with his shot and flicks it well wide!
14' Gil almost scores for Girona but slips, letting Liverpool regain possession!
17' Gutierrez thumps a strong effort but Alisson pushes away & Gil sends ball over!
27' Highlight from Girona vs Liverpool
35' Nunez with a good run onto a ball into the box but his strong strike is saved!
37' Asprilla sends shot swerving towards top corner but Alisson dives to push away!
46' Danjuman races towards the box before lashing a shot high and very wide!
49' Danjuma weaves between Szoboszlai and Gomez but fires wide again!
53' Highlight from Girona vs Liverpool
62' Penalty Goal! Salah hammers home the spot kick & Reds lead! Girona 0-1 Liverpool
70' Highlight from Girona vs Liverpool
76' Match Event for Girona vs Liverpool
84' Highlight from Girona vs Liverpool
Line-ups
Girona XI: Blind, Romeu, Juanpe, Gazzaniga, Van de Beek, Arnaut Danjuma, Ladislav Krejci, Miguel Gutiérrez, Gil, Alejandro Francés, Yáser Asprilla
Subs: Stuani, D.López, Portu, P. Lopez, Abel Ruiz, Iván Martín, Arnau Martínez, Jhon Solís, Silvi Clua, Min-su Kim, Lucas García, Jastin García
Liverpool XI: Alisson, Salah, Van Dijk, Robertson, Joe Gomez, Alexander-Arnold, Szoboszlai, Luis Díaz, Darwin Núñez, Curtis Jones, Gravenberch
Subs: W. Endo, Kelleher, Cody Gakpo, Vitezslav Jaros, Elliott, Jarell Quansah, James Norris, James McConnell