Mohamed Salah Shines as Reds Progress to Knockout Stage
Mohamed Salah scored his 50th European goal for Liverpool as the Reds secured their place in the last 16 of the Champions League with a decisive victory over 10-man Lille at Anfield.
Salah’s milestone goal came in the 34th minute, thanks to a perfectly timed through ball from Curtis Jones. Salah calmly lifted the ball over an advancing Lucas Chevalier, breaking the deadlock in what had been a tightly contested match. Until that point, Lille—unbeaten in 21 games across all competitions—had done well to limit Liverpool’s attacking threats.
The Egyptian forward had additional chances to extend his tally, missing a one-on-one opportunity and narrowly curling a shot wide in the second half. Lille, reduced to 10 men after Aissa Mandi received a second yellow card for tripping Luis Diaz, managed to equalize three minutes later. Jonathan David found the back of the net after Hakon Haraldsson’s effort was blocked, briefly reigniting hopes for the visitors.
However, Liverpool quickly regained control. A cleared corner fell to Harvey Elliott, whose deflected strike found the bottom corner to restore Liverpool’s lead. Elliott addressed recent transfer rumors after the match, stating, “I am not leaving. This is my team and my club.”
Darwin Nunez, fresh off his two stoppage-time goals against Brentford in the Premier League, had a late effort ruled out for offside. Despite Lille’s persistence, including a late blocked attempt by Haraldsson, Liverpool’s dominance ensured they maintained their 100% record in the competition.
The victory marks Liverpool’s seventh consecutive win in the Champions League’s new league phase. As group leaders, they will be seeded for the last-16 draw, facing one of the eight teams advancing from the play-offs in February.
Professional Liverpool Get the Job Done
This performance may not rank among Liverpool’s best under Arne Slot, but it was a testament to their professionalism and resilience. Lille’s high press and energetic approach stifled Liverpool’s rhythm for the opening 30 minutes. However, the turning point came when Kostas Tsimikas’ crucial tackle on Jonathan David left Lille’s defense exposed. Curtis Jones seized the moment with an inch-perfect pass to Salah, who finished with ease.
Liverpool had opportunities to extend their lead. Jarell Quansah and Alexis Mac Allister missed headers from set-pieces, and Nunez saw a near-post effort saved. Lille’s equalizer, their first shot on target, was unexpected but short-lived as Liverpool’s quality shone through.
The second half saw Lille struggle to match Liverpool’s intensity. With gaps opening in their midfield and defense, the home side looked more likely to score again than concede. A late block on Haraldsson’s effort highlighted Liverpool’s defensive solidity, ensuring their progression with a game to spare.
Arne Slot’s side now face a busy period with key fixtures in the Premier League, FA Cup, and EFL Cup semi-finals. While Liverpool have already secured their place in the knockout stage, they will aim for top spot in their final group game against PSV on 29 January.
Meanwhile, Lille’s Champions League journey continues. Despite the loss, they remain in contention for a top-eight finish, which would guarantee automatic progression to the last 16. Currently 11th, they’ll need strong performances in the play-offs to advance further.
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