Liverpool continued their relentless march at home and with a hard-fought 1-0 win at Girona in the Champions League, propelled the Reds to six of six best results in European play.
Mohamed Salah dispatched his 50th UEFA Champions League goal from the penalty spot after the hour mark to keep Arne Slot’s side perfect in the competition thus far, sitting top of the table comfortably.
By contrast, Girona have just one win on their debut in Europe’s premier competition, and head coach Michel was left to rue missed chances after an overall spirited display.
Liverpool started confidently as expected, with Slot able to name a strong line-up after Saturday’s Merseyside derby against Everton was postponed amid extreme weather.
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Alisson was back from a hamstring injury to feature in goal for the first time since October 5 and the Brazil international was called into action to deny Bryan Gill at the second attempt in the 11th minute. The attack really shouldn’t have progressed that far, given Daley Blind aimed an air shot at Miguel Gutierrez’s left-wing cross with the goal at his mercy.
Gil lost his footing when through on goal and Alisson also completed a sharp piece of work to beat a Yaser Asprilla strike behind after his opposite number Paulo Gazzaniga thwarted Darwin Nunez.
Gazzaniga was the more active goalkeeper at the start of the second half, cleverly canceling out Andy Robertson on the end of a Ryan Gravenberch pass. However, this attack was later decisively recalled for a video review.
Donny van de Beek was punished for tripping Luis Diaz inside the box. The decision was ultimately the correct one, even though Van de Beek could be considered unfortunate. Salah sent Gazzaniga the wrong way to score his 16th of the season in all competitions. Game by game, it looks like one that will end with more medals in his collection, even at this early stage.
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Venue: Estadi Montilivi, Girona Referee: Benoit Bastien (France)
Confirmed line-ups:
Girona (4-3-2-1, left): 13. Paulo Gazzaniga (GK) — 16. Alejandro Frances, 15. Juanpe, 18 years old. Ladislav Krejci, 17 years old. Daley Blind – 6. Donny van de Beek, 14 Oriel Romeu, 3. Miguel Gutierrez – 10. Yaser Asprilla, 20. Bryan Gul – 11. Amaut Danjuma
Liverpool (4-3-3, left): 1. Alisson (GK) – 66. Trent Alexander-Arnold, 2. Joe Gomez, 4. Virgil van Dijk, 26. Andy Robertson – 8. Dominik Szoboszlai, 38. Ryan Gravenberch, 17. Curtis Jones – 11. Mohamed Salah, 9. Darwin Núñez, 7. Luis Díaz
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FULL TIME: Girona 0-1 Liverpool
Girona will feel this is a missed opportunity to salvage their European hopes, but Liverpool secured three vital points in unconvincing fashion. The Reds worked hard to win their penalty, then stopped play to protect the lead, but were far from dominant as Girona missed a series of big chances, none of which loomed bigger than Bryan Gil’s.
63 minutes: Liverpool have had to be patient and give up in several events, but they made a breakthrough and it’s that guy, Mo Salah. A VAR review penalised Donny van de Beek for a clumsy foul on Luis Diaz and Salah stepped in to send Paulo Gazzaniga in.
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Mo Salah with his 50th #UCL goal to break the deadlock in Spain ? pic.twitter.com/sUsjBXPqqY
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Salah moves from the penalty spot! ?? @tntsports and @discoveryplusUK pic. twitter. com/Qj0hLTHl3J
Ukrainian foreigner Viktor Tsygankov will likely be sidelined for the rest of December, while Bojan Miovski sprained his ankle during training and will miss this match.
However, Girona have young Colombian Jhon Solis back after he missed the defeat to Madrid, while full-back Arnau Martinez returns from suspension. He joins Solis on the bench
Liverpool face an opponent in this match, with former Manchester United duo Daley Blind and Donny van de Beek now in Girona colours and starters.
Girona lineup (4-2-3-1, left): Gazzaniga (GK) – Arnau Martínez, López, Krejci, Gutiérrez – Martín, Romeu – Asprilla, Van de Beek, Gil – Ruiz
Injured: Tsygankov (no disc), Miovski (ankle) Sanctioned: None
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Liverpool have received a boost in their latest educational consultation ahead of their trip to Spain. Goalkeeper Alisson and striker Diogo Jota participated in the consultation. Alisson makes his first appearance in goal since October 5 and is one of four changes.
There are still disorders in defense, with Ibrahima Konate, Conor Bradley and Kostas Tsimikas expected to return until the end of December.
Midfielder Alexis Mac Allister must serve a one-match suspension.
Liverpool line-up (4-2-3-1, left): Alisson (GK) – Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson – Gravenberch, Jones – Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz – Nunez
Injured: Konate (knee), Bradley (thigh), Tsimikas (foot), Alisson (thigh, doubtful), Jota (doubtful) Suspended: Mac Allister
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Dom is the Senior Content Creator at Sporting News UK. In the past he worked as a fan logo editor for Manchester City at Reach Plc. Prior to that, he gained more than a decade of experience in the sports journalism industry, primarily for the Stats Perform and Press Association news outlets. Dom has covered primary outdoor football events, adding Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup in Paris and St. Petersburg respectively, as well as high-profile foreign matches from the Premier League, Champions League and England. Cricket and boxing are his other wonderful sporting passions and he has covered Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, Wladimir Klitschko, Gennadiy Golovkin and Vasyl Lomachenko live from the ring.