Liverpool made onerous work of their sixth Champions League sport of the season, needing a Mohamed Salah penalty to sneak previous Girona on Tuesday.
The Reds did sufficient to win the sport however actually didn’t dominate Girona, who went shot-for-shot with Arne Slot’s aspect and will have simply turn out to be simply the second aspect to attain towards Liverpool in Europe this yr.
That leaky defence did, nonetheless, supply a highlight for the returning Alisson, who seemed full of life again within the Liverpool aim.
How the sport unfolded
Joe Gomez had Liverpool’s first probability of the night simply 4 minutes in. He rose highest from a nook and powered a header in the direction of Paulo Gazzaniga, who reacted properly to tip the hassle over the bar.
Gazzaniga wanted to push away a fierce strike from Darwin Nunez quickly after, earlier than Girona maybe ought to have opened the scoring. Daley Blind discovered himself alone within the penalty space and was offered with a tap-in, solely to utterly miss the ball, and simply moments later, Bryan Gil was despatched charging by on aim however misplaced his footing when one-on-one with the returning Alisson.
These moments introduced Girona to life and the hosts loved a number of vivid moments down the left, with Miguel Gutierrez and Arnaut Danjuma inflicting all types of issues for Gomez.
After an open 20 minutes introduced loads of half-chances for each groups, Nunez was once more annoyed by Gazzaniga from shut vary, earlier than Yaser Asprilla’s strike from outdoors the realm wanted an acrobatic cease from Alisson.
Liverpool ended the primary half with 61% possession however on no account accountable for proceedings, with Girona main when it got here to photographs on the right track (4) and anticipated objectives (0.8).
Girona didn’t decelerate after the restart and Danjuma spurned two good probabilities inside 4 minutes. He fired straight at Alisson for the primary after which, after some pleasant footwork to beat Gomez, utterly sliced his effort properly extensive.
On the hour mark, Liverpool acquired the break they wanted when a VAR test noticed them awarded a penalty. Luis Diaz was tripped by Donny van de Beek, and up stepped Salah to internet his fiftieth Champions League aim.
Girona’s composure light after the aim however the La Liga aspect nonetheless supplied loads of menace on the counter, though Liverpool managed the closing phases and noticed out a sixth successive Champions League victory.
After a prolonged harm lay-off, Alisson returned to the Liverpool beginning lineup on the expense of Caoimhin Kelleher, who dropped to the bench.
The Brazil worldwide doubtless anticipated a quiet evening however undoubtedly needed to be at his greatest right here, with Liverpool’s porous defence forcing him into motion time and time once more. Danjuma and Asprilla each drew one of the best out of Alisson in a full of life affair.
Whereas questions do must be requested of Liverpool’s again line, there shall be no considerations about any rustiness from Alisson.
The query of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s greatest place was raised as soon as once more right here. He lined up on the staff sheet as a right-back however started the sport in an inverted midfield position which brought on his aspect all types of issues.
Joe Gomez was left remoted in defence as Girona clearly focused the realm as a weak point, doubling up and spraying the ball over to that aspect at each given second. In assault, Alexander-Arnold’s presence contributed to a crowded midfield and, coupled with Mohamed Salah’s freedom to roam, left Liverpool with no outlet on the appropriate aspect.
Slot modified issues within the first half when Girona have been threatening to run away with proceedings, ordering Alexander-Arnold to remain deeper and wider. A clever transfer from the boss, who will now concern different rivals could have discovered their very own plan to fight Alexander-Arnold.
Look, this was hardly a foul Liverpool efficiency. They seem to be a good staff who in all probability deserved to win this, however the truth that is even a debate is trigger for concern.
Girona are a mid-table La Liga aspect who misplaced 4 of their first 5 video games on this season’s Champions League, and but they went toe-to-toe with the aspect who most would describe as one of the best in Europe at this second.
Had they not benefitted from a handful of scuffed photographs, unlucky slips and VAR selections, Liverpool may have simply misplaced right here. Slot should determine what went mistaken earlier than they return to Premier League motion towards Fulham on the weekend.
