A 2-1 victory, courtesy of Mo Salah and Harvey Elliott, means that Liverpool will top the league phase of the Champions League with just a point in their last game. This victory over Lille though, was not as comfortable as perhaps it should have been, especially when playing against ten men for much of the second half.
Lille came to Anfield unbeaten in twenty one games, and for half an hour you could see why. A strong defensive line, well organised, and Liverpool finding little space between the lines. They also had a threat on the counter-attack. Yet, as is so often the case with Liverpool, it was whilst the opposition were attacking, that Liverpool found the space, and more significantly, the pass to break the deadlock.
Tsimikas fairly won the ball, and despite French protestations to the referee, who was far too ready to blow for non-existent fouls throughout, he waved play on. The ball broke to Curtis Jones, who found Mo Salah with a precision pass, that the Egyptian ran on to, before curling his shot beyond an on rushing goalkeeper, from twenty yards, for his 50th goal in European competition. Minutes later, Salah should probably have scored again, but cutting in from the right side, couldn’t quite keep the ball within the far upright.
Lille approached the second period, as the first. They were neat and purposeful in possession, continued to probe, but before the hour was up, found themselves down to ten men. Diaz was brought down, as he broke for goal, but Liverpool then dropped off. Lille sensed an opportunity, and Jonathan David, who has illuminated the French League this season, scored the equaliser. Connor Bradley, who’d started the game in place of Trent Alexander Arnold, was too easily beaten, the ball fell loose in the penalty box, and David found the net.
Arne Slot, who showed his annoyance in conceding a goal to one chance, in his post match comments, decided to make some changes. On came Mac Alister and Elliot, and from a cross, that fell to self proclaimed Liverpool fanatic Harvey Elliot, he found the winning goal in front of the Kop. Yes, it took a wicked deflection, but if you don’t shoot (and far too many, don’t), you don’t score, and it was reward for his energy, industry, and propensity to play forward.
Most would have anticipated more goals, up against ten men, and there were ample opportunities to stretch the lead. Nunez, rather predictably, seeing a late strike ruled out for offside, following a parried shot from Chiesa, a late substitute. Lille though looked like they may have another goal in them, but lacked the energy, of earlier in the game, but their performance showed exactly why they too have beaten Real Madrid in this season’s Champions League.
Liverpool face PSV in Eindhoven in their final fixture of this phase of the Champions League. A draw will see them finish top, meaning they’d play every second leg at Anfield, for as long as they remain in the competition. Ahead of that fixture next Wednesday, Ipswich come to Anfield in the Premier League, having been thrashed by the present league champions last time out. A home victory, and remaining unbeaten in Europe this season, would be a very good week indeed.
