Mohamed Salah netted his 50th European goal for Liverpool as the Reds secured their place in the Champions League last 16 with a hard-fought victory over a 10-man Lille side at Anfield.
Salah’s landmark goal came in the 34th minute when he latched onto an exquisite through ball from Curtis Jones and calmly chipped over Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier.
The visitors, who were on an impressive 21-game unbeaten run in all competitions, frustrated Liverpool early on, but Arne Slot’s side took control after Salah’s breakthrough.
Key Moments of the Match
Salah had chances to extend Liverpool’s lead, missing one one-on-one opportunity before curling a shot just wide in the second half.
Lille were reduced to 10 men shortly before halftime when Aissa Mandi was shown a second yellow card for tripping Luis Díaz. His first caution came from dissent after protesting a challenge on Jonathan David during the build-up to Salah’s goal.
Surprisingly, Lille equalized just three minutes after Mandi’s dismissal. Jonathan David capitalized on a rebound from Hakon Haraldsson’s blocked shot to level the score.
Liverpool quickly regained their advantage when a Harvey Elliott strike from the edge of the box deflected into the bottom corner after a corner was partially cleared.
Darwin Núñez, starting fresh off his two stoppage-time goals against Brentford in the Premier League, had a late effort ruled out for offside after Federico Chiesa’s shot was parried away.
Liverpool’s Champions League Campaign So Far
This victory marks Liverpool’s seventh straight win in the league phase of the newly formatted Champions League, maintaining their perfect record in the competition. The Reds are guaranteed to be seeded for the last 16, where they will face one of the eight teams advancing from February’s play-offs.
Despite not being at their best, this was another professional performance by Slot’s team. After a slow start, Liverpool grew into the game, with Salah’s opener capitalizing on Lille’s momentary defensive lapse.
Jones and Salah combined brilliantly for the first goal, while Elliott’s strike sealed the win after Lille’s spirited response. Though Jonathan David’s equalizer briefly rattled the hosts, Liverpool’s control and relentless pressure ultimately secured the points.
What’s Next?
Liverpool’s final group-stage match is an away trip to PSV Eindhoven on January 29. They need just a point to secure the top spot in the league phase, but with their place in the knockout rounds confirmed, Slot may opt to rotate his squad.
Meanwhile, Lille remain in 11th place in the Champions League table, ensuring at least a spot in the play-offs. However, they still have a chance to break into the top eight and secure automatic qualification for the last 16.
With a busy schedule ahead, including Premier League fixtures, FA Cup ties, and an EFL Cup semi-final second leg against Tottenham, Liverpool will look to maintain their momentum as they continue to challenge on multiple fronts.
