UEFA Champions League
Liverpool Advance With Vital Win
Liverpool get vital win to advance to the round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League. A crucial goal from Mo Salah was all it took for the Reds to defeat a decent Napoli side. Liverpool deserved all three points, but this Napoli side was not far off.
Liverpool suffered three losses in the group stage, including an embarrassing 2-0 defeat to Red Star Belgrade. To my surprise, this did not come back to haunt them. Instead it is Napoli who are haunted by their two draws with PSG, one with Red Star, and of course this loss to Liverpool. A win at Anfield would have meant winning the group, but now they will be playing on Thursday nights in the Europa League.
Salah’s Resurgence
Mohamed Salah had gotten off to a slow start this season, but he is right back on his game now with four goals in the past two matches. His hat-trick at the weekend undoubtedly propelled him forward. His goal in the 34th minute was a brilliant move. Not many players in the world could make Kalidou Koulibaly look so poor in defense, but the Egyptian did just that. The tight-angled finish reminds us what we saw in him last season. Is this the start of an even bigger goal-scoring run?
What’s Next?
Liverpool finished second in the group so they can only face non-English group winners in the Round of 16. They also are unable to be draw against PSG who was in their group. We will know more after Wednesday’s group finale’s but Liverpool face a tough draw with the likes of FC Barcelona being a possible opponent. For Napoli, they move into the Europa League. They were the best third place finisher in the group stage meaning they will be in pot 1 with the Europa League group winners. We will know who they can draw after Thursday’s matches are completed.
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