LIVERPOOL beat RB Leipzig 4-0 on aggregate to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane scores the goals for Jurgen Klopp’s side at Anfield.
- RESULT: Liverpool 2-0 RB Leipzig
- Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Phillips, Kabak, Robertaon, Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Thiago, Mane, Salah, Jota
- RB Leipzig XI: Gulacsi, Upamecano, Sabitzer, Poulsen, Forsberg, Adams, Klostermann, Nkunku, Mukiele, Olmo, Kampl
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THAT’S A WRAP
Thanks for joining us this evening.
Before you leave, don’t forget to check out our match report.
ONE HAPPY CHAPPY
On his defensive set-up today, Klopp added: “I said to Fabinho, you clearly like this position more- you couldn’t show it any more clearly!
“The two centre-halves also had an incredible game- they all played well at the back, as that’s a tough ask against RB Leipzig.
“We defended deep together which is really important.
“The three midfielders worked well together, as did the three upfront.
“The boys who came on also had real impact, so it was good all round.
KLOPP SPEAKS
Jurgen Klopp was thrilled with his team’s performance this evening.
Speaking on BT Sport, he said: “It was good, we created a lot of chances.
“The best thing that the boys did was that we defended very well so people couldn’t see how good Leipzig could be, because they can be a monster.
“The team were outstanding; we have to cut off the PL stuff to get here and give it a proper try.
“The boys really enjoyed themselves tonight, but they had to do a lot of dirty work with some real defending.”
DREAM DEBUT
Nat Phillips made his Champions League debut this evening, in fact he wasn’t even registered in the group stage.
Speaking about the youngster’s debut, Peter Crouch said: “He didn’t put a foot wrong. I understand where Rio’s coming from with regards to Liverpool losing the three first-choice centre backs, but tonight Nat didn’t do anything wrong.
“He headed it when it needed heading, his positional sense was very good, he did absolutely everything he needed to and cleared some very dangerous crosses.”
SALAH SPEAKS
Speaking on BT Sport, Salah spoke of what impact today’s win could have on the squad’s mentality.
He said: “It’s a big result for us, we came here with the team not in the best palace after what’s happening in the Premier League.
“We need to keep fighting, everyone can see that. As much as everyone is giving 100 per cent, we don’t need to be looking at the big picture, as we get too much pressure, we need to take it each game at a time.
“We need to leave the pressure off the field and just play football.
“It’s been tough in the Premier League, everyone can see that. It’s part of the game, last few years we were winning and flying, but this year we’ve been unlucky with injuries.”
STAT ATTACK
Liverpool only had two shots on target in the second half and scored from the both- the other five on target efforts all came in the first half.
Leipzig enjoyed slightly more possession, but didn’t threaten Liverpool much in the box.
FOUND THEIR FEET
Former Liverpool man Peter Crouch was impressed with today’s defensive performance.
Speaking on BT Sport, he said: “Phillips and Kabak look like a good combination and Fabinho back in midfield makes Liverpool a much better team.”
While Rio Ferdinand was impressed with what he saw, he added: “If Van Dijk and Gomez aren’t there, for me they don’t win the Champions League.”
FT: LIVERPOOL 2-0 RB LEIPZIG
LIVERPOOL 2-0 RB LEIPZIG
91. Liverpool wasted chances in the first half, but have been much more clinical in the second half.
They’re cruising through to the quarter finals, but they know that winning the competition could be their only chance of a spot in the Champions League next season.
LIVERPOOL 2-0 RB LEIPZIG
90. Two additional minutes in Budapest.
LIVERPOOL 2-0 RB LEIPZIG
89. Tsimikas wastes no time in getting involved.
He receives the ball deep in Leipzig’s half and pulls the trigger from distance-it’s over the bar.
LIVERPOOL 2-0 RB LEIPZIG
87. Klopp knows they’re now cruising to the quarter finals so looks as though he’s ready to give Oxlade-Chamberlain a few minutes.
Tsimikas will be his other change.
Mane and Robertson make way for them.
LIVERPOOL 2-0 RB LEIPZIG
Phillips has been solid at the back this evening for Liverpool.
And it’s made a world of difference having Fabinho back in midfield.
LIVERPOOL 2-0 RB LEIPZIG
83. Salah isn’t content and has another crack.
Yet again, he cuts back in on his left foot as he tries to curl the ball in, but it’s tipped away by Gulacsi.
Corner to Liverpool.
LIVERPOOL 2-0 RB LEIPZIG
82. Mane slips the ball to Origi on the left of the box.
He tries to open the angle up by pulling the ball back onto his right foot, but his shot ruffles the side netting.
Gulacsi was the right side of goal had the shot been the other side of the post anyway.
LIVERPOOL 2-0 RB LEIPZIG
81. Milner replaces Wijnaldum and takes over captain duties.
LIVERPOOL 2-0 RB LEIPZIG
How’s stat for Salah!
LIVERPOOL 2-0 RB LEIPZIG
78. Klopp is beaming from ear to ear and it’s little wonder.
There was a lot at stake tonight after Liverpool’s recent form, but the Champions League still provides them with a platform to show just how good they are.
SALAH’S IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Liverpool finally found the target after 70minutes of trying.
Here’s Salah’s goal for your viewing pleasure.
LIVERPOOL 2-0 RB LEIPZIG
73. Two goals in four minutes for Liverpool, from the two-goal scorers from the first leg.
Substitutes Keita and Origi combine well on the right as the forward whips the ball into the centre of the box for Mane to run on to.
Mane calmly sends the ball home and sends Liverpool to the quarter finals.
GOOOOOOAL
DEJA VU, JUST LIKE THE FIRST LEG, MANE FINDS THE BACK OF THE NET!
LIVERPOOL 1-0 RB LEIPZIG
72. Substitutions aplenty;
Liverpool bring on former Leipzig man Keita for Thiago.
As Jota is replaced by Origi.
Leipzig make their own change as Haidara replaces Olmo.
LIVERPOOL 1-0 RB LEIPZIG
70. The front three combine well to finally get Liverpool’s first goal of the evening.
Mane slips the ball through to Jota in the central channel as he makes a decent run towards the box.
As Jota draws the defenders to him, he slips the ball to Salah on his right.
Salah pushes the ball back on his left to the centre of the box before firing the ball low and hard into the bottom right-hand corner.
GOOOOAL
SALAH MAKES SURE LIVERPOOL GO THROUGH!
LIVERPOOL 0-0 RB LEIPZIG
67. Looks as though Origi will be Liverpool’s first change of the night.
Can he be the ‘super sub’ that Liverpool need in order to find the back of the net?!
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
