Liverpool survived a major heart attack by securing all-important victory against Red Bull Salzburg.
Liverpool played an enthralling fixture against the Austrian opponents Red Bull Salzburg at Anfield. The game was full of goals – witnessing the hosts edge their opponents 4-3 to secure their first victory of this Champions League edition.
The reigning Champions were out with their all guns blazing – starting the game on a higher ante. Sadio Mane interlinked with Roberto Firmino to open the lead in the 9th minute. It was followed by pure filthy team goals from Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah before the 36-minute mark.
They looked like cruising, but were caught on the break when Jordan Henderson committed a glaring error. Hwang Hee-Chan evaded the challenges from Virgil Van Dijk and Joe Gomez to cut down the deficit to two before the half-time whistle. Liverpool looked nervous for no reason and buckled under pressure.
Two goals within four minutes through Takumi Minamino and Erling Haaland evened the scoreline. However, that lasted for just nine minutes as Roberto Firmino picked out a pass to find Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian scored with ease to find the back of the net and it resulted as a winner.
For the rest of the game, Liverpool defended well and saw out the lead. It was an important three points for Jurgen Klopp, while Jesse Marsch’s side will have nothing but full pride out of this phenomenal display.
We shall look at three reasons why Liverpool edged their opponents Red Bull Salzburg.
#3 Liverpool’s complacency after three-goal unearthed Salzburg’s comeback
Liverpool looked head and shoulders above their opponents during the first half an hour of the game. The hosts even scored thrice in that period and players on the field thought they already secured the result, but they didn’t yet.
Salzburg, who has a history of scoring goals for fun this season, proved their phenomenal prowess. Jordan Henderson lost the ball in a dangerous position and the opponent attacker Hee-Chan dummied Virgil Van Dijk to see the net bulge six minutes before the half-time.
The hosts started on a slower ante and wanted to calm situations down. They didn’t want to take the game to opposition’s half and paid a huge price for that. They were caught napping for the second and third goal.
Takumi Minamino, in general, was running the show and looked sensational with and without the ball. The Japanese was unplayable and made sure that Liverpool concede goals when Salzburg were well-placed.
#2 Salzburg’s decision making was top-notch
Liverpool were high-flying with their three-goal lead, but it didn’t hold back Salzburg from taking the game to the opponent’s half. It failed to thwart them as the visitors pulled one back with an extraordinary finish in the first half.
Jurgen Klopp’s side was prepared to impose calmness and attempted to slow the game down, but they failed. Salzburg, with the ball, looked menacing in the attacking areas of the pitch. Besides their capability to attack bluntly, their accomplishment to pick out passes in between the defensive line made them a real threat.
Salzburg had limited chances and made full use of it to give a headache to Liverpool. The Austrian team will be happy with their performance and will be raring to take the reigning Champions in front of their home crowd.
Jordan Henderson was culpable for the first goal, while Fabinho and Joe Gomez were caught napping for the equalizer. It was not an expected display from the Reds backline, which failed to rise up to the occasion and undo opponents.
#1 Cool-headed Mohamed Salah keeps his cool and delivers once again
Liverpool attacking trio looked on song and created constant trouble to Salzburg in the opening minutes of the game. Sadio Mane played a one-two with Roberto Firmino to open the scoring. Andy Robertson scored the second goal of the night with an extraordinary run. These two were a treat to watch, but the output counts the most. Mohamed Salah has succeeded in that matter.
The Egyptian was trying to do stuff on his own during the first half and lost possessions on plenty of occasions. The Liverpool attacker bolstered his confidence when Roberto Firmino’s header was parried away by the goalkeeper. The rebound fell kindly for Salah to score his first of the night. It was all about Salzburg comeback until Jurgen Klopp pushed his team up.
Roberto Firmino picked out space in between Salzburg’s defensive line with a glancing header in the 69th minute. Since Liverpool were level in terms with Salzburg at that time, Mohamed Salah had the pressure to deliver once again. The former Roma attacker calmly slotted the ball amidst goalkeeper rushing down the spot.
