Liverpool maintained their perfect record in the Champions League this season as they beat RB Leipzig 1-0 at the Red Bull Arena on Wednesday evening.
The Reds found themselves ahead at half-time as Darwin Nunez opened his European account for the season and the striker was unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty just before half-time.
Both sides had chances to score after the break but Liverpool’s defence held firm to secure a deserved and hard-fought victory in eastern Germany.
Leipzig were the brighter side in the opening stages and were first to fire at goal. Amadou Haidara forced Caoimhin Kelleher into an agile save with a powerful drive from outside the area and the Irish goalkeeper’s poor clearance almost proved costly as Benjamin Sekso curled a shot inches wide in the 19th minute.
Despite a sloppy start to proceedings, Liverpool snuck into the lead just before the half-hour mark. Kostas Tsimikas’ lofted cross found the head of Mohamed Salah, who redirected an effort goalward that provided Nunez with a tap-in at the far post. A much-needed poacher’s goal from the out-of-form striker.
Nunez could have doubled his tally just five minutes after opening the scoring but Peter Gulacsi produced an instinctive save to rebuff the Uruguayan’s close-range header. The Hungarian made a similar stop to deny Virgil van Dijk from a corner shortly afterwards as Liverpool started to purr.
The visitors should have been awarded a penalty before the break when the increasingly influential Nunez was felled by a late Willi Orban challenge inside the box. However, after a brief VAR review, the referee’s on-field decision of no penalty was upheld.
A catalogue of Leipzig errors almost handed Liverpool a two-goal advantage just three minutes after the restart. Nunez latched on to a loose pass and his tame cross managed to reach the feet of Cody Gakpo, but the Dutchman’s shot was saved by the outstretched toe of Gulacsi from close range.
Alexis Mac Allister came close to putting clear daylight between the teams but the midfielder’s long-range shot clipped the top of the crossbar, with Leipzig almost producing an equaliser moments later. Kelleher produced two fine saves in quick succession, the first denying Sesko from point-blank range and the second preventing Xavi Simons’ deflected effort from looping in.
Lois Openda, who had already had a goal ruled out for offside in the first half, was left similarly frustrated as he tapped home what he believed to be an equaliser in the final ten minutes. However, the Belgian was once again a yard ahead of Liverpool’s well-placed defensive line.
Gakpo came close to securing the result in the dying minutes but Gulacsi denied the Dutch international with an impressive save. However, it mattered little as the Reds held firm for an important win before Sunday’s clash with Arsenal.
Marco Rose’s side, despite their valiant efforts, were ultimately left to rue their inability to turn chances into goals. Ryan Gravenberch was once again instrumental in Liverpool’s midfield, snapping into tackles and shielding the back four effectively.
Liverpool’s win was their fifth in five Champions League matches this season, and they will be looking to maintain their 100% record when they face Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday.
The Reds’ defence was rock-solid, with Kelleher making several crucial saves to preserve the win. Van Dijk was a colossus at the back, dealing with the physicality of Openda and the pace of Sesko with ease.
Gakpo was a constant thorn in Leipzig’s side, causing problems down the left-hand side and providing a threat going forward. Nunez, meanwhile, was unfortunate not to have had more than one goal to show for his efforts.
Overall, it was a deserved win for Liverpool, who will be looking to continue their momentum in the coming weeks.
