Liverpool put their domestic worries to one side as they progressed to the quarter-finals of the Champions League with 2-0 victory over an unimaginative Red Bull Leipzig. Defending a first leg advantage, Liverpool’s path to the next round was made secure with goals from the first leg heroes, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.
An entertaining first half failed to see the deadlock broken but despite the lack of goals, there was still plenty of goalmouth action. Diogo Jota saw his close range header tipped over by Leipzig keeper, Peter Gulacsi, and the former Liverpool stopper was busy just moments later as he kept out Salah before Mane failed to make contact with the rebound.
At the other end, Alisson Becker was nowhere as busy as his opposite number but he was called into action when thwarting Dani Olmo. This was Leipzig’s best opportunity in a frantic first half that was brought to an end with another missed chance from Jota, who fired into the side netting.
For all Liverpool’s dominance, it took until the 70th minute for them to open the scoring. A rapid break freed Jota through the middle and his unselfishness to free Salah saw the Egyptian marksman punish Leipzig with a neat finish.
Four minutes later, Mane doubled Liverpool’s lead when he tapped in following excellent work from substitute Divock Origi. It was a goal that brought jubilation from Jurgen Klopp on the touchline, as he is currently enduring one of his toughest spells as Liverpool manager.
The Champions League is once again proving to be a happy hunting ground for Liverpool. Their supporters will now be hoping that they can replicate their continental form at home and get the stumbling Premier League campaign back on track.
Catch the full match highlights below (Canada only):