LIVERPOOL have one foot in the Champions League quarter-final after a convincing win over RB Leipzig in Budapest.
Mo Salah and Sadio Mane both netted to give the Reds a two-goal lead to take back to Anfield.
THANKS FOR JOINING US
That’s all from us tonight as Liverpool put one step into the Champions League quarter finals with 2-0 ‘away’ win against RB Leipzig.
The game may have been played in Budapest but away goals still count for Jurgen Klopp’s side, with the second leg to be played in three weeks time.
Mo Salah opened the scoring for the Reds after capitalising on a Marcel Sabitzer error, before Sadio Mane was gifted Liverpool’s second after an equally as embarrassing mistake by Nordi Mukiele.
Attention for the Reds now turns to Saturday’s mouthwatering Merseyside Derby clash with Everton.
RB Leipzig meanwhile are next in action on Sunday as they travel to Hertha Berlin in the Bundesliga.
That’s all for now though.
Thanks for joining us, it’s been a pleasure.
JURGEN SPEAKS
These are the full time thoughts of Jurgen Klopp:
“It was the game we wanted [and] it was the game we needed tonight.
“Leipzig can be a real monster, when they play in the Bundesliga they overrun teams, they are really physical, pretty much good in everything and tonight we controlled them in an exceptional way.
“They had their moments of course with the quality they had but we played a really good game and so got the result we deserved.”
MATCH STATS
Here’s a look at the full time stats from Budapest.
Liverpool had just three shots on target in the ninety minutes, but scored with two of them.
It was a clinical performance from the Reds.
HENDO’S ANALYSIS
Jordan Henderson has this to say on Liverpool’s tricky period:
“We just wanted to keep going [and] keep fighting every time we play.
“[There’s been] a lot of difficult situations throughout the season but I think we’ve just got to keep going every single [and] take one step at a time and tonight was a good step in the right direction for us.
“We need to continue with that performance level and if we continue that we’ll get some good results along the way.”
FULL TIME SCENES
A near perfect night for Liverpool in Budapest, but it’s only half time in the tie.
The Reds host RB Leipzig at Anfield in three weeks time.
Credit: Reuters
HENDO’S ANALYSIS
This is what Jordan Henderson has to say on the importance of the result:
“Yeah it was an important game for us.
“[A] tough game but really happy with the performance overall.
“Obviously to score the goals as well and keep the clean sheet was important for us so overall [it was] a good night and a good performance.”
FULL TIME
Liverpool bounce back from just three wins in their last twelve with a well deserved victory tonight.
WHAT A CHANCE
Hwang Hee-Chan had a golden chance to pull a goal back for Leipzig with the last goal of the game, but could only blaze wide when one-on-one with Alisson.
Credit: AFP or licensors
FT: RB LEIPZIG 0-2 LIVERPOOL
A great win for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, who take two away goals and a clean sheet back to Anfield.
The tie is by no means over, but that couldn’t have gone much better for the Reds.
PEEEEEEEP!
THAT’S FULL TIME!
RB LEIPZIG 0-2 LIVERPOOL!
RB LEIPZIG 0-2 LIVERPOOL
93. WHAT A CHANCE!
They nearly were famous last words!
Hwang Hee-Chan gets in behind Henderson after a neat ball around the corner and he’s through on goal.
He should put it in the back of the net but can only fire wide!
That will probably be that.
RB LEIPZIG 0-2 LIVERPOOL
92. Nothing to report as of yet in added time.
This one looks like it’s going to fizzle out as a 2-0 win for the Reds.
There is still one minute left though, could those be famous last words?
RB LEIPZIG 0-2 LIVERPOOL
90. Three minutes of added time are signalled by the fourth official.
RB LEIPZIG 0-2 LIVERPOOL
90. Liverpool substitution.
It’s Mo Salah who’s coming off for Neco Williams as the clock ticks past ninety minutes.
RB LEIPZIG 0-2 LIVERPOOL
89. Neco Williams is readying himself to come on for the last couple of minutes.
Liverpool aren’t far away from a precious clean sheet.
RB LEIPZIG 0-2 LIVERPOOL
87. Liverpool are seeing the game out professionally now.
The Reds are keeping the ball well and ticking seconds off the clock.
CLOSING STAGES
We’re into the final five minutes in Budapest with Liverpool still leading 2-0 thanks to goals from Mo Salah and Sadio Mane.
Credit: PA:Press Association
RB LEIPZIG 0-2 LIVERPOOL
84. The Reds work the corner short initially.
The ball is eventually played into the box but Hwang Hee-Chan heads the ball away.
RB LEIPZIG 0-2 LIVERPOOL
83. Liverpool corner.
Upamecano is across to block an Alexander-Arnold cross behind for a Liverpool corner.
RB LEIPZIG 0-2 LIVERPOOL
82. The ball bounces around in the Liverpool box after a cross by Angelino before it finally drops for Klostermann on the edge.
He takes a wild swipe at it and slices his effort high and wide of the bar.
RB LEIPZIG 0-2 LIVERPOOL
81. Liverpool yellow card.
Jordan Henderson is in the book now for tugging back Hwang Hee-Cha as he looks to get in behind.
RB LEIPZIG 0-2 LIVERPOOL
79. CHANCE!
Liverpool give the ball away cheaply and Leipzig work the ball to Angelino on the left hand side of the box.
He tries to cut across the ball and go for goal, but scuffs his effort completely.
RB LEIPZIG 0-2 LIVERPOOL
78. Sabitzer tries his luck from range but that’s never troubling Alisson.
It flies three or four yards wide of the post.
RB LEIPZIG 0-2 LIVERPOOL
76. Leipzig yellow card.
Dani Olmo drags Sadio Mane from behind to stop him going forward, and earns his name in the referees book.
RB LEIPZIG 0-2 LIVERPOOL
75. Into the final fifteen minutes in Leipzig.
It’s nearly job done for Jurgen Klopp’s side, they’ll just be desperate to keep a clean sheet to take into the second leg.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
