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Liverpool secured a 2-0 win over RB Leipzig on Wednesday to advance to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League.
Goals from Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane ensured Jurgen Klopp's troops of a berth in the last eight, as the tie finished 4-0 on aggregate.
Liverpool could have taken the lead in the first half, but Peter Gulacsi's heroics and some wasteful finishing gave RB Leipzig some hope. The visitors started the second half with more tenacity and even came close to pulling one back through Alexander Sorloth, whose attempt hit the woodwork.
Mohamed Salah opened the scoring in the 70th minute to give Liverpool the lead. Sadio Mane doubled their advantage minutes later following some brilliant work from Divock Origi on the right flank.
On that note, here are five major talking points from the match.
#5. Liverpool were solid at the back
Liverpool registered a much-needed clean sheet against RB Leipzig on Wednesday.
Jurgen Klopp has been experimenting with his center-back pairings throughout the season amid the Reds' injury woes. Nathaniel Phillips and Ozan Kabak were chosen for the task against the Germans.
Phillips was exceptional for the Reds, winning 5 duels, making 9 recoveries, completing 2 successful tackles and making 5 clearances. Meanwhile, Kabak teamed up well with Phillips to foil any threat. The duo repaid the faith entrusted in them with a brilliant display.
#4. Liverpool bossed the center of the park
Jurgen Klopp started Thiago Alcantara, Fabinho and Georginio Wijnaldum in midfield.
Returning to his natural position, Fabinho dominated proceedings in the center of the park. His positioning, tackling and tidy ball progression were on point. Moreover, his presence in the midfield allowed Alcantara to operate more independently.
Alcantara showed why Liverpool signed him last summer as he impressed with visionary passes, lateral movement and quick thinking.
#3. Peter Gulacsi was brilliant for RB Leipzig
Peter Gulacsi made some fantastic saves in the first half to ensure that his side still had a fighting chance.
The 30-year-old pulled off a magnificent double save to deny Diogo Jota in the opening half. He made 5 saves and 8 recoveries on the night.
It's a shame the outfield players could not produce anything substantial on the other end of the pitch.
#2. Liverpool were quite wasteful up front
Liverpool created quite a few chances in the opening half but failed to capitalize on them. Their finishing was below par, and their decision-making in the final third was questionable. Jota, Salah and Mane all missed some pretty big chances in the first half.
Liverpool clearly lacked confidence up front, and their struggles continued until Salah finally put the tie to bed with the opening goal of the night.
#1. A much-needed victory for Liverpool
Following a turbulent run of games in the Premier League, this victory would surely instill some confidence into this Liverpool side. The Reds came into the game having won just one of their last seven league games. It was, therefore, a daunting task for them to hold on to their first-leg lead against RB Leipzig.
With this brilliant win, they move on to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League with much more conviction. This could truly prove to be the turning point of their season.
