RB Salzburg v Liverpool FC: Group E - UEFA Champions League

RB Salzburg 0-2 Liverpool: 3 Key observations from the game | UEFA Champions League 19/20 

Liverpool travelled to Salzburg for the crunch Champions League group stage decider on Matchday 6. To qualify for the next round, the European champions had to either win or draw the game against RB Salzburg. Liverpool won the game 0-2 at the end, going into the Round of 16 as winners of the group.

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The match was an open contest, with both sides playing exciting and attacking football. The opening minutes of the game saw both sides have spells of possession, with each side trying to take control of the game. The game saw a total of 33 shots on goal combined. RB Salzburg had some great chances in the first half and they had pinned the European Champions in their own box.

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The second half saw Liverpool players pick up the pace and try to score the first goal of the match. They finally scored, with Naby Keita heading a Sadio Mane cross into the host's goal. The second goal came just a minute later when Mohammad Salah scored a brilliant goal from an almost impossible angle with his weaker right foot. The home side tried to come back into the game, but the European Champions had enough control of the game to win.

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Let's take a look at the three key observations from the game:

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#3 RB Salzburg fail to capitalize on early momentum

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RB Salzburg v Liverpool FC: Group E - UEFA Champions League
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The home side started the game with an attacking mindset and with an intent to take control of the game by scoring an early goal. The attacking players of the hosts had scored three goals past Liverpool at Anfield and were aware of the visitors' vulnerability at the back.

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They bypassed the Reds' midfield with some beautiful one-twos, but couldn't take advantage of this attacking momentum in the final third. The players didn't simply shoot with accuracy for all their hard work in building up the attack.

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Salzburg had 11 shots as compared to Liverpool's 22 shots on goal. But, unfortunately, none of those 11 shots were on target. The home side fell to Liverpool's ruthless and continuous attacking play in the second half.

RB Salzburg had their chances to make an impact on the result of the game despite having half the shots Liverpool had, but they couldn't score against the European champions.

Also check out: Champions League Schedule Champions League table Champions league top scorers

#2 Liverpool turn on their Second Half engine yet again

RB Salzburg v Liverpool FC: Group E - UEFA Champions League
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Much was at stake for the defending European Champions as they went into matchday 6. Losing was not an option for the Reds. Considering the goal scoring record of RB Salzburg, Liverpool had to be at their best and clinical in front of the ball if they had to qualify into the knockouts.

The Reds were finding their feet in the first half, playing on the counter-attack with the home side seeing most of the ball. The visitors got a couple of great chances, both of them falling to the feet of Mohammad Salah.

The Egyptian made a mess of the chances he got in the first half, keeping the game alive in the second half. As they have done throughout the season, the Liverpool players stepped up in the second half. They had more possession of the ball as compared to the first half and scored their goals in a couple of minutes.

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Defensively, Virgil Van Dijk and co. looked more assured and aware in the second half. The midfielders covered more ground and made more interceptions. Players like Erling Braut- Haaland and Takumi Minamino were controlled throughout the second half.

It has been a feature of this Liverpool side, where they have been almost unplayable in the second half for the majority of their matches. The opposition teams have to be at their best in the second half of the match if they want any points from their games.

From Liverpool's perspective, this ability could be the greatest asset in their Champions League run this season.

#1 Naby Keita and Mohamed Salah step up for the Reds

RB Salzburg v Liverpool FC: Group E - UEFA Champions League
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The footballing expectations and reality have been completely different for Naby Keita and Mohammad Salah at Liverpool. Mohamed Salah had been signed as an extra attacking player for the Liverpool squad, but he has emerged as one of the most important players for the Reds in the last two seasons. He has was the Golden Boot twice in consecutive seasons.

Whereas, Liverpool went all out for Naby Keita and he was brought on with a much higher hype around. But, his time at Liverpool has been marred by injuries. He has had an impact on the game whenever he has played.

But, he is not a regular as many expected when he was signed. Today was a day where the Guinean midfielder and the Egyptian winger came together and sealed Liverpool's knock out qualification by scoring two crucial goals.

Mohamed Salah looked lively throughout the game. He missed some great chances and scored a difficult one to take Liverpool's lead to two. The Egyptian made a comeback from a niggling injury and has now scored in two consecutive matches for the Reds.

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Mohamed Salah is in the thick of things again and that's good news for Liverpool as they look forward to the festive period Premier League and FIFA Club World Cup fixtures.

Naby Keita has been in and out of the squad this season; this is due to the injuries he has suffered during the last couple of months or so.

Fabinho's injury has given him an opportunity to stake his claim ahead of players like Adam Lallana and Xherdan Shaqiri. He along with Mohamed Salah has now scored in two consecutive matches and given Fabinho's injury, he can rest assured of his playing chances.

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Edited by
Habil Ahmed Sherule
 
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