Liverpool took a significant step toward securing a spot in the last 16 of the Champions League after Mohamed Salah’s VAR-awarded penalty sealed a narrow 1-0 victory over Girona at the Municipal de Montilivi. This win marks only the second time in the club’s history that they have won their first six matches of a European campaign, underscoring their dominance in the competition this season. The result also propelled them to the top of their group, leaving them close to confirming their qualification as one of the seeded teams for the knockout stages.
Salah’s calm conversion from the penalty spot in the 63rd minute, following a foul by Donny van de Beek on Luis Diaz, ensured Liverpool maintained their perfect record. This penalty also marked a personal milestone for Salah, who became the 11th player to score 50 goals in the Champions League, surpassing Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Kylian Mbappé. Salah’s spot-kick came after a somewhat labored first half from Liverpool, with Alisson Becker making crucial saves to deny Girona’s Bryan Gil and Arnaut Danjuma.
Alisson, who made his first appearance since October due to a hamstring injury, played a pivotal role in Liverpool’s win. His return from injury proved timely, as he kept a fifth consecutive clean sheet in the competition, a feat Liverpool hadn’t achieved since 2005. Despite being sidelined for 11 matches, Alisson demonstrated his quality, making critical stops throughout the match. Manager Arne Slot praised the goalkeeper, noting, “Alisson definitely didn’t look like he’d been out for two months,” highlighting his match-winning presence.
Girona, though competitive, struggled to capitalize on their chances. They created several opportunities, but Alisson’s saves and Daley Blind’s lack of composure in front of goal meant the hosts failed to score. Despite some frustrating performances from Liverpool’s attacking players, including Darwin Núñez, who was twice denied by Girona goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga, the Reds held firm for the win.
With this victory, Liverpool continued their unbeaten run in the Champions League, with Slot noting that the team’s solid defensive record and tactical discipline were key to their success. Looking ahead, Liverpool’s final two group-stage matches will give them the luxury of rotating players while still keeping an eye on the top spot. Meanwhile, Girona, with only one win from six matches, face an uphill battle to avoid elimination from the competition.
