Liverpool bounced back from a string of poor Premier League results to beat RB Leipzig in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League tie last night. Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane got the goals as the Reds continue their quest to reign supreme over European football once again.
Klopp’s defiance
After the game Jurgen Klopp made it crystal clear that he believes his side defied a lot of expectations by beating Leipzig, and he’s right. You don’t have to like the man’s style of answering questions to think he’s a good manager, but you do have to understand that he is the best man for the job right now at Anfield. Even if they don’t thrive in the Premier League for the remainder of the campaign, perhaps another run deep into the heart of the Champions League is what they need to get them out of this rut.
Upamecano’s troubles
Dayot Upamecano has been linked with a move to many high profile clubs over the course of the last few months, and that’s before many fans even had a chance to see him play. Last night, with the world watching, he constantly gave the ball away to Liverpool – one of the primary teams in the running to secure his signature. He’ll still get a big move and one bad game isn’t going to change that, but questions need to be asked about his ability to succeed in the Premier League.
Seven-time champions?
Liverpool are one of the most storied clubs in the history of the European Cup, but they’re still just the fourth favourites to win it all this season at 6/1 with 888sport. When they get to the later stages of the competition they’ll face some serious challenges – and that’s if they even get there. The second leg is going to be tough and they need to show the sort of defensive resolve that got them to the dance in the first place, but regardless of what comes next, Liverpool supporters will just be happy to know that they’ve got a fighting chance of rescuing something from this season.
Match Report
RB Leipzig: Gulacsi (6), Klostermann (6), Upamecano (5.5), Mukiele (5.5), Kampl (6), Angelino (6), Sabitzer (5.5), Haidara (6), Adams (6.5), Nkunku (6.5), Olmo (6.5), Hwang (6), Orban (6), Poulsen (6.5)
Liverpool: Alisson (7.5), Alexander-Arnold (7.5), Kabak (7.5), Henderson (7), Robertson (7), Jones (7.5), Wijnaldum (6.5), Thiago (7.5), Salah (7.5), Firmino (7), Mane (8), Williams (6), Oxlade-Chamberlain (6), Shaqiri (6)
Referee: Slavko Vincic
Goals: Salah, Mane
Yellow Cards: Mukiele, Angelino, Haidara, Nkunku, Olmo, Kabak, Henderson
Red Cards: N/A
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