Liverpool vs RB Leipzig. UEFA Champions League First Knockout Round.
Puskas Arena.
4-0
Match report as Liverpool ease past RB Leipzig to reach the Champions League quarter-finals; Goals from Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane help Liverpool put their Premier League struggles behind them; Jurgen Klopp's side go into the draw for the last eight and the last four on March 19
Thursday 11 March 2021 05:59, UK
Liverpool put their Premier League struggles behind them as they beat RB Leipzig 2-0 at the Puskas Arena to secure a 4-0 aggregate win and a place in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Jurgen Klopp's side, who suffered a sixth straight home defeat at the hands of Fulham on Sunday, continued their difficulties in front of goal during the first half, missing a host of chances.
However, the missed opportunities didn't prove costly as two goals in four second-half minutes from Mohamed Salah (70) and Sadio Mane (74) secured the Premier League champions' passage into the last eight.
Victory will come as welcome relief to Klopp and his side, who secured just their third win in nine games across all competitions. Their hopes of winning a seventh European Cup remain on track and they now have the draw for the quarter-finals and semi-finals to look forward to on Friday March 19.
This was Liverpool's designated 'home' fixture but after their Anfield difficulties they were probably grateful coronavirus restrictions forced them to play in Hungary again.
And freed from defensive responsibilities after Fabinho's inclusion in midfield, Thiago Alcantara showed his desire to create early in the game when he opted to lay the ball off to Salah when played through the middle, but following a poor pass the chance was lost.
Mane then volleyed over, while Diogo Jota's powerful header was tipped over by former Liverpool goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi as the Reds made a fast start.
The chances continued to come for Liverpool as Salah failed to beat the Leipzig goalkeeper from a quick counter-attack and Mane made a mess of the follow-up header.
Alisson Becker made one save in the first half from Dani Olmo as Leipzig looked to get a grip of the game, but Liverpool should have been ahead in the tie just before the break as Jota was again denied by Gulacsi before the forward fired into the side-netting on the stroke of half-time.
With the tie slipping away from them, Leipzig sent on striker Alexander Sorloth and the former Crystal Palace striker almost dragged the German side back into the tie, but his header looped onto the crossbar.
However, Julian Nagelsmann's side failed to build on that as Liverpool eventually found their scoring boots. Having waited more than 11 hours for a goal from open play at home, two came along in quick succession.
A quick passing move from just inside their own half involving Thiago, Mane and Jota teed up Salah to cut inside and slot home with his left foot in the 70th minute.
And four minutes later, Mane made sure there was to be no late drama by converting substitute Divock Origi's cross from close range to put the smiles back on Liverpool faces.
Clinton Morrison, speaking on Sky Sports News:
"Even though they've not been so good in the Premier league, this is a competition that Liverpool always do well in.
"Obviously, you look at the likes of Manchester City and Bayern Munich and you'd probably say they are the two outstanding favourites to win it, but you just never know?
"If you can get a good draw, keep progressing through the rounds and then get a few players back fit and firing, I think Liverpool have got a great chance.
"It's not worth getting a good result this evening and then going to Wolves on Monday and not getting a positive result.
"It's going to be a difficult game and I think Jurgen Klopp knows that. However, he'll just be happy with what's happened against Leipzig and then he'll work for the rest of the week towards Monday's game, which is an important game for Liverpool because they still want to finish in that top four.
"But the result today gives them huge confidence going forward."
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp: "We created a lot of chances. That's us at the moment - first half massive chances and couldn't score. Again, the biggest and best thing the boys did is let nobody see how good Leipzig can be. They are a monster usually, they are so powerful and you saw all the runs in behind, but we defended that really well. Big compliment to the boys.
"We had to switch off that Premier League stuff, to get here and to give it a proper try. The boys really enjoyed themselves tonight, which is important. We were doing the hardest and the dirtiest work because it was a big defending challenge."
"The two centre halves played an incredible game. The whole last line played an incredible game because that is a tough task. We had to press them. We defended deep together really well, which is important. Everybody had a really good game. It was a good performance."
When asked if they can use it as momentum, he added: "We have to. Last time we played Champions League it was a long trip. We play next on Monday, that is okay. We have to make ourselves ready. If we play like we did tonight it will not be easy for Wolves.
"It is a massive difference."
RB Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann: "I think we deserved to be knocked out. I think the emotional qualities we've had in recent matches in the league and cup weren't shown today.
"We don't like losing but sometimes you have to admit the opponent was better. We are angry and sad but we'll focus on Frankfurt who we play in the Bundesliga. It is well-deserved Liverpool go into the next round."
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah:
"It is a big result for us. We came here after losing a few games in the Premier League. The team is not in the best shape, but we want to fight in the Champions League and also fight in the Premier League and see what can happen.
"I would love to score more. I am happy I scored today, and the team won, that is the most important thing.
"We have had a few injuries this season, we have been unlucky, but the most important thing is we have to keep fighting. We just have to take each game at a time and not look to the big picture because if you look to the big picture there can be too much pressure.
"It has been tough in the Premier League; we don't want it to be tough. It is part of the game. The last couple of years we were winning and flying, this year we have had injuries, it is hard. Hopefully, now we have two or three or four centre backs we can keep winning."
Restored to Liverpool's midfield for the first time since October 17, Fabinho showed exactly what the Reds have been missing.
Used as a makeshift defender following Virgil van Dijk's injury in the Merseyside derby in October, the Brazilian has done an admirable job trying to hold Klopp's defence together.
I asked him afterwards: ‘You like the position No6 more than the other one and he said ‘Yes!’. He could not have been more clear.
But against Leipzig, he showed exactly why Klopp will try to keep him in the middle of the park from now until the end of the season.
He didn't put a foot wrong, controlling the game beautifully alongside Georginio Wijnaldum and Thiago Alcantara.
Thiago was freed from defensive responsibilities he could focus on the creative side of his game, while Fabinho's midfield presence also allowed full-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson to play higher up the pitch
He also gave the inexperienced centre-back pairing of Nat Phillips and Ozan Kabak the protection they needed to secure a clean sheet to help the Reds keep their dream of a seventh European Cup alive.
Liverpool travel to Wolves on Monday Night Football at 8pm - live on Sky Sports Premier League. Meanwhile, RB Leipzig are back in Bundesliga action on Sunday when they host Eintracht Frankfurt (kick-off 2.30pm).
The draw for the Champions League quarter-finals, followed by the draw for the semi-finals, will take place from 11am UK time on Friday March 19. You will be able to follow both draws with Sky Sports.
Round of 16 second legs: March 16/17
Quarter-final and semi-final draws: March 19
Quarter-finals first legs: April 6/7
Quarter-finals second legs: April 13/14
Semi-finals first legs: April 27/28
Semi-finals second legs: May 4/5
Final: May 29 (Atatürk Olympic Stadium)
