Liverpool faced RB Leipzig in a fiery Champions League clash at the Red Bull Arena, with Jurgen Klopp’s side edging past their opponents by a slender 1-0 scoreline. And the game was ultimately decided after less than 30 minutes when Liverpool’ s Darwin Núñez scored his second goal of this year’s Champions League group stage off an assist from Mohamed Salah that proved to be enough. The defeat leaves Leipzig frustrated and under pressure, still looking for their first point of this Champions League campaign.
Liverpool’s Winning Streak Continues
Coming into this game, Liverpool had already registered two impressive victories in the group stage, defeating both Atlético Madrid and Juventus Turin. With confidence riding high, Jürgen Klopp’s men were determined to extend their streak, and Núñez’s first-half strike was enough to ensure they left Leipzig with all three points.
On the other hand, Leipzig found themselves in a precarious situation. With two losses in their previous Champions League encounters, they were desperate for a turnaround. But despite a strong start, their efforts were ultimately thwarted by Liverpool’s organized defense and their own lack of cutting edge in the final third.
RB Leipzig’s Night to Forget
Leipzig head coach Marco Rose had called Liverpool “a benchmark” ahead of the game, conceding it was his team’s most difficult challenge to date. Even so, Leipzig looked unperturbed early on with the intensity that matched Liverpool in the first few minutes.
The home side came close to breaking the deadlock early on when Benjamin Sesko went for an ambitious cross-shot that just eluded Liverpool keeper Caoimhín Kelleher after a rare error from the shot-stopper. Loïs Openda thought they had scored just before the hour when he rifled into the top corner, though their celebrations were cut short afer VAR determined that his foot hung slightly beyond Gershenberg.
Within moments, Liverpool responded with the only goal of the match. Mohamed Salah, standing at just 1.75 meters, managed a towering header that Núñez was on hand to tap into the net. From that moment on, the tide turned in Liverpool’s favor as they dominated possession and continually threatened Leipzig’s defense.
Leipzig’s Defensive Struggles
More often than not a reliable unit, the Bundesliga’s best back four proved disjointed and weak when it came to dealing with crosses. Peter Gulacsi keeps his team in the match with two amazing saves: he fights Núñez’s header and moments later it is reflective to contain a shot from Virgil van Dijk.
Leipzig’s skipper Willi Orban had a moment of controversy too when he seemed to fell Núñez in the box on 38 minutes, but much to Liverpool’s frustration no penalty was awarded. It was an extremely controversial decision, and were one to form part of Liverpool counter-attacking opportunities throughout the first half that could have easily seen them two or three goals ahead.
Second half: Liverpool superiority
Liverpool then began building pressure as the second half moved along. Cody Gakpo spurned a great chance just before half-time and his side were then denied an equaliser early in the second period by some excellent work from Gulacsi. Leipzig were unable to lean back and protect their narrow lead against a Liverpool team designed to counter-attack them, the latter evidently happy with returning from ‘home’ if they can accept it as such.
Leipzig, on the other hand, were unable to trouble Watford. They failed to make the most of it though; Benjamin Sesko, their likely starting striker was kept mostly quiet and Loïs Openda’s often savvy runs were meaningless against a Liverpool backline which would not be beaten.
Leipzig’s Late Push Falls Short
Despite being on the back foot for most of the second half, Leipzig did have a late surge. Benjamin Sesko finally found space in the 71st minute after a clever pass from Xavi Simons, but once again, Kelleher was equal to the challenge. Moments later, Simons had a shot deflected onto the crossbar, but Kelleher reacted brilliantly to tip it over.
In a final attempt to turn the game around, Marco Rose made three substitutions, bringing on Christoph Baumgartner and Eljif Elmas to inject fresh energy into Leipzig’s attack. However, the changes came too late, and Leipzig’s hopes of salvaging a point were dashed.
FAQs
Darwin Núñez scored the decisive goal in the 27th minute, securing a 1-0 victory for Liverpool.
Despite starting strong, Leipzig struggled to create clear-cut chances and were eventually undone by defensive lapses, leading to their third consecutive loss in the Champions League.
The turning point came when Loïs Openda’s goal for Leipzig was ruled offside, and within a minute, Liverpool responded with the only goal of the match, scored by Darwin Núñez.
Darwin Núñez scored the crucial goal, while Mohamed Salah provided the assist. Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher also made several important saves to maintain the clean sheet.
Leipzig must win their next match against Celtic Glasgow to keep their hopes of advancing from the group stage alive.
Conclusion
But Liverpool’s 1-0 win over RB Leipzig epitomised the character and threat underpinning their Champions League credentials. Leipzig did demonstrate what they can do on the break themselves, but their profligacy in front of goal and defensive chaos brought them crashing back down to Earth. Three straight losses means the challenge for Leipzig to keep alive their campaign is now raised considerably and Liverpool will look build on thir winning run. With Marco Rose’s team stepping out for what is now a must-win game against Celtic tomorrow, the pressure is building and that crunch match could determine their destiny in Europe.
