Mo Salah scored his 50th European goal for Liverpool as the Reds narrowly defeated 10-man Lille.
This victory secured Liverpool’s spot in the last 16 of this year’s Champions League, making them the first team to do so under the new Swiss model. The first half was largely uneventful until the 34th minute, when Curtis Jones delivered a brilliant through ball to Salah, who slotted it home with ease.
Liverpool dominated the second half and were given an advantage when Aissa Mandi was sent off for two yellow cards. However, Lille stunned the home crowd just three minutes later, as Jonathan David scored an equalizer with a close-range blast.
Despite the shock, Harvey Elliott quickly put Liverpool back in front with a deflected shot off Ngal Ayel Mukau. Here are the key talking points from Liverpool’s victory:
Liverpool Make History
Tuesday’s win ensured Liverpool became the first team to secure a place in the last 16 of this year’s Champions League under the Swiss model. Although there is no trophy for this achievement, topping the group provides a confidence boost heading into the knockout stages.
With their spot in the last 16 guaranteed, manager Arne Slot now has the option to rest some of his players in the final group match against PSV Eindhoven.
Salah’s Latest Landmark
This goal marks a significant milestone for Mo Salah, as he reached his 50th European goal for Liverpool, further solidifying his place in the club’s history.
It’s been an incredible season for Mo Salah, and on Tuesday, he reached yet another milestone. Salah struck 11 minutes before the break, injecting life into what had been a rather dull game, with a composed finish past goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier.
This goal marked his 50th European goal since joining Liverpool in the summer of 2017, further extending his record as the club’s all-time leading scorer in European competitions. Salah now has nine more European goals for Liverpool than the previous record holder, Steven Gerrard.
His match-winning performance on Tuesday serves as yet another strong reminder that Liverpool should prioritize offering him a new contract.
