Mohamed Salah’s coolly taken penalty helped Liverpool secure a 1-0 victory over Girona at the Estadi Montilivi, maintaining their perfect record in the UEFA Champions League with six consecutive wins. The match began with an early chance for Liverpool as Darwin Núñez tested Girona’s goalkeeper, Paulo Gazzaniga.
Alisson made his long-awaited return to the starting lineup after recovering from a hamstring injury sustained during Liverpool’s win at Crystal Palace on October 5. The Brazilian goalkeeper proved his worth with crucial first-half saves, denying Bryan Gil, Miguel Gutiérrez, and Yáser Asprilla. In the second half, Alisson kept out Arnaut Danjuma’s attempt from a tight angle. Daley Blind also had a golden opportunity but mis-hit Gutiérrez’s cross when unmarked in the box.
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Liverpool had their own chances, with Joe Gomez’s early header tipped over by Gazzaniga and Núñez denied in a one-on-one situation before the break. Against a Girona side that has now lost five of their six Champions League matches this season, it was once again Salah who made the difference. The Egyptian forward, who now has 13 goals in 16 games across all competitions, extended his impressive form to seven goals in his last six matches.
The Egyptian pharaoh Mohammed Salah has now scored 46th Champions League goals in 86 appearances. Mohamed Salah has 28 goal contributions in 22 games for Liverpool FC this season
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With this victory, Liverpool remain top of the group and are guaranteed a top-eight finish if other results go their way this week. The Reds will face Lille away and PSV Eindhoven at home in January. Liverpool’s triumph also marked their 16th win in 18 matches, with just two draws since their loss to Nottingham Forest on September 14.