Arne Slot’s team maintained their perfect record and top spot in the Champions League with a 100% success rate. Liverpool bounced back from last week’s stumble with a commanding performance, overcoming Girona’s challenge to claim their sixth consecutive Champions League victory and secure at least a playoff spot in the round of 16.
In a closely contested match at the Spanish club’s home ground on Tuesday, Liverpool edged Girona 1-0, thanks to Mohamed Salah, who made the decisive impact in the second half.
Liverpool had faced a setback last Wednesday with an unexpected 3-3 draw against Newcastle United in the Premier League, breaking their winning streak. Determined to put that disappointment behind them, they faced Girona’s aggressive play but held their nerve to secure a crucial win. With six wins in six games, Liverpool now sit at the top of their group with 18 points.
Liverpool started strong, applying intense pressure in the opening minutes. In the seventh minute, they almost went ahead, but Darwin Núñez’s low shot was brilliantly saved by the Girona goalkeeper.
For the first 10 minutes, Girona struggled to get out of their half. However, Liverpool’s defensive lapses gave Girona two golden opportunities in quick succession. In the 12th minute, Daley Blind couldn’t capitalize on a loose ball near the six-yard box, and Alejandro Francés’s follow-up shot was straight at the goalkeeper.
A minute later, Girona nearly punished Liverpool again when Spanish forward Bryan Gil found himself one-on-one with the keeper but slipped before taking the shot, allowing Alisson to make an easy save.
The game turned into a thrilling end-to-end battle. In the 35th minute, Núñez’s angled shot was blocked by Paulo Gazzaniga’s foot, while two minutes later, Girona’s midfielder Yaser Asprilla unleashed a powerful strike from outside the box, which Alisson expertly tipped away.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 64th minute. Luis Díaz was brought down in the box, and after consulting VAR, the referee awarded a penalty. Salah stepped up and calmly converted, giving Liverpool the lead. This goal marked Salah’s 50th in Europe’s top competition, an incredible milestone for the Egyptian forward.
The game slowed down after the goal, with Girona unable to mount a serious comeback. Liverpool came close to doubling their lead in the 84th minute when Trent Alexander-Arnold’s brilliant free-kick was spectacularly saved by Gazzaniga.
Despite a valiant effort, Girona couldn’t produce any meaningful attacks after conceding, effectively ending the contest.
With just one win from six matches, Girona sit at 30th in the standings with three points, while Liverpool’s dominant performance keeps them firmly on top.
